Violent Mob Attacks Women and Police Following Diwali Firecracker Stall Dispute in Maharashtra

Mumbai:

A trivial dispute regarding the establishment of a firecracker stall in Kalyan, Maharashtra, transformed into a violent confrontation during Diwali celebrations. Women in the Mohane area were assaulted, and law enforcement officials faced stone-pelting while attempting to manage the unruly mob.

The incident reportedly began as a minor disagreement between two groups but rapidly intensified into widespread violence. Residents claim that a substantial group of intoxicated men from the village arrived in Lahuji Nagar, equipped with various weapons including knives, swords, bamboo sticks, and metal rods. They specifically targeted women and continued their assault even in the presence of police officers who were trying to defuse the situation.

"Approximately 60-70 young men from the village, under the influence of alcohol, suddenly descended upon Lahuji Nagar. They were armed with knives, swords, bamboo sticks, rods, and other weapons. Upon seeing women, they immediately launched attacks," recounted Sandhya Sathe, an injured victim who works with the NCP Ajit Pawar faction.

Multiple individuals sustained injuries as the violent group continued pelting stones at police personnel. Video footage from the incident showed Sathe bleeding from her wounds and another male victim displaying bruises across his back.

"They struck my head with a metal rod," Sathe explained. "They vandalized homes, hit someone's chest with a stone, and attacked my thigh. We attempted to help others, but the attackers were too numerous. They were throwing stones and assaulting everyone indiscriminately. The experience was horrifying."

Law enforcement has initiated an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the violence.

In a separate Diwali incident, a 35-year-old man in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, was fatally stabbed multiple times following a minor motorcycle collision at approximately 3 am. Surveillance footage reveals a group surrounding and attacking the victim. Despite being rushed to medical care, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police report that the four assailants remain unidentified, and efforts to locate them are ongoing.