Tension prevailed in Ambernath in Maharashtra's Thane district after a 21-year-old man died following an assault over an alleged relationship, leading to protests by his relatives and local residents, police said.
The incident escalated after angry locals allegedly hurled stones and vandalised the office of a corporator, accusing her of protecting those involved in the assault. The corporator has denied the allegations and demanded action against those responsible for damaging her office.
According to police, the situation became tense in the Palegaon area of Ambernath East on Wednesday after Om Khore, who was seriously injured in an attack on June 23, died while undergoing treatment at KEM Hospital in Mumbai.
Victim allegedly attacked over suspected relationship
Police said Khore was allegedly assaulted by five to seven people after the uncle of a young woman suspected that he was in a relationship with his niece.
Following the attack, Khore was admitted to hospital with serious injuries. The Shivajinagar police in Ambernath initially registered a case against three persons and arrested two accused in connection with the assault.
However, after news of his death spread, his family members, relatives and hundreds of local residents gathered and marched towards the police station demanding action against all those allegedly involved.
Corporator’s office vandalised during protest
While heading towards the police station, some protesters allegedly attacked the office of a corporator belonging to a national political party in Palegaon.
The victim's relatives alleged that the corporator had helped protect the accused and assisted them in avoiding action.
The corporator dismissed the allegations and said she had no role in helping the accused. She also demanded strict police action against those involved in the attack on her office.
Family refuses to claim body, demands arrests
After reaching the police station, Khore's family members refused to claim or shift his body until all the accused in the case were arrested.
The family alleged that they had initially given police the names of seven people suspected to be involved in the assault, but action had been taken against only five of them.
Five accused arrested, police search underway for others
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore said five accused, identified as Sandip Gawli, Ravi Parmar, Nayan Madvi, Sachin Patil and Raj Desekar, have been taken into custody.
Police said efforts are underway to trace the remaining accused and further investigation into the case is in progress.
Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent any further unrest following the incident.
(With inputs from PTI)
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