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Cricket match results in tragedy

Mohan Jagtap was killed after his mother had an argument with some boys from another community who inadvertently hurt her while playing cricket



Mumbai Mirror Bureau



A mob resorted to arson in Bhiwandi on Wednesday after a boy succumbed to injuries sustained when he was beaten up by youngsters of a minority community. 

On April 22, 2006, a group of boys from the minority community were playing cricket in a playground near the Subhash Nagar slums, when the ball hit Vaijanti Jagtap. An angry Jagtap, a resident of the Hindu-dominated Subhash Nagar, shouted at the boys and took away the stumps they were playing with.   

Residents of Subhash Nagar claim that the stumps were returned the next day. However, on Monday, a crowd of about 40, including the boys who had been playing cricket, allegedly came to Subhash Nagar armed with sticks, tracked down Vaijanti's son Mohan, 26, and others and beat them up.

Mohan and others who were injured were rushed to Indira *hi Municipal Hospital. However, Mohan’s condition was deemed critical and he had to be taken to Sion Hospital. On Wednesday, Mohan succumbed to his injuries.

Mohan was a member of the Shiv Sena, and as news of his death spread, Sainiks from all over the city, led by city pramukh Subhash Mane, converged on the Shanti Nagar police station. The mob staged a rasta roko near the police station and pelted stones at shops owned by members of the minority community.

“Immediately after the incident took place on Monday afternoon, we registered a complaint with the police. But till date, they haven’t arrested anyone who was involved in the attack,” said one of the Sainiks.

An hour later, the mob dispersed after the police promised to initiate action. They then assembled at Subhash Nagar, where Mohan’s body was to be brought. However, since formalities had not been completed, the body was not handed over to relatives. This angered the gathered crowd, which pelted stones at powerlooms and damaged shops, owned by the members of the minority community.

The arson stopped only after Deputy Commissioner of Police, in-charge of Bhiwandi, R D Shinde arrived at the spot and pacified the crowd. “We will arrest all those responsible. In fact, we have already arrested two and detained four others. We are on the look out for another boy who is absconding,” Shinde said.

At the time of going to the press, Mohan’s body had just arrived and a huge posse of security personnel had been posted in the area. Police sources say Bhiwandi is likely to remain tense over the next few days. “All those we have arrested will be booked for murder. It is natural for leaders from the minority community to support the accused. With pressure mounting from both communities, the situation will get ugly,” a senior police official admitted.