Mob stops vehicle carrying body of teen; Navi Mumbai still tense
MUMBAI: The body of a 19-year-old teenager, who succumbed to injuries suffered during the proquotamarathaagitationatkopar Khairane in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, was taken to his native place in Satara for final rites. But the journey was not without hurdles.
A mob of around 100-150 people waylaid the vehicle that was carrying the body of Rohan Todkar on Sion-panvel Highway in Vashi early on Friday, and demanded that it be first taken to his residence in Sector 15 of Kopar Khairane. The deadlock continued until cops intervened and allowed the passage of the vehicle.
Todkar, who worked in a private firm, is a native of Chapalkhonoli in Patan taluka of Satara district. According one of his friends, he had come to Navi Mumbai to prepare for police recruitment.
Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Tushar Doshi, said Todkar was cremated at his native place.
The police were yet to ascertain who attacked Todkar. Navi Mumbai police commissioner Hemant Nagrale said, “Todkar and others were assaulted during the Maratha agitation in Kopar Khairane on Wednesday.” Todkar was first admitted to a civic hospital in Vashi before being shifted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night.
The police have registered a murder case against unidentified people.
Meanwhile, Sector 15 and its nearby areas remained tense as some shops and schools stayed shut. Parents are still anxious to send their children to school.
As a precaution, the police did not allow a large assembly of people and asked residents to not fall for any rumours.
Navi Mumbai, especially Kopar Khairane, has been on edge since Wednesday’s strike call as it witnessed stone pelting, arson and vandalism.
INTERNET, SMS SERVICES RESUME
Navi Mumbai After being suspended for two days owing to Wednesday’s violence during the Maratha strike, mobile internet and messaging services were restored in Navi Mumbai. The services were snapped to stop rumour-mongering in the wake of violence in Navi Mumbai, which was the worst-hit. Almost all service providers resumed SMS and internet services at 12am on Friday. Tushar Doshi, deputy commissioner of police (crime), said, “Mobile internet and messaging services have been restored, and situation is under control in Kopar Khairane hence.” He said the police have advised people to be careful and not believe any rumours.
Inputs from Pamja Sinha