ASSAULT ON AIR TRAFFIC STAFF: THREE ARRESTED

MUMBAI: The police have arrested three people in connection with the assault on an Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) inside the staff colony in Andheri on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) has demanded Closedcircuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the area and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to guard them from local goons.

“We have arrested three accused in the case and are enquiring to find out whether and how many more accused were involved,” said Laxman Chavan, senior police inspector, Vile Parle police station.

According to residents of Airports Authority of India (AAI) colony, the official was returning home on his two-wheeler around 8pm on Sunday when a group of five men blocked his way. He phoned his colleagues and MSF personnel for help and they arrived at the spot. ATCO Akshat Mahalwala was among those who arrived.

A senior ATCO present at the spot said, “At this time, Mahalwala, who has been a resident of AAI colony for the past nine years, was fiddling with his phone. The goons thought he was recording the incident on video and started beating and kicking him.”

Dr Rajendra Patankar, COO, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, said, “Akshat has suffered injuries to his right eye and fracture in the right ankle. His condition is stable now.”

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) colony, spread over 52 acres, has around 400 families. After earlier complaints, 65 Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) personnel have been deployed at the colony, but residents said it is still unsafe.

Residents of the colony said that around 300 metres of the peripheral wall has been broken by slum-dwellers who also park their four-wheelers in the colony.

Keshav Sharma, regional executive director of AAI, did not respond to requests for a comment. On Monday, around 100 ATC officers gathered at the AAI office to protest.