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As the anti-encroachment drive at Garib Nagar, Bandra East neared the 3000 sq m mark on Wednesday afternoon, conflict gripped the area, with hundreds of locals staging a protest attempting to gain entry to the restricted site. The situation eventually spiralled out of control, prompting police personnel to resort to lathi-charges on multiple fronts to disperse the mob.

Shortly after, at 5.20 pm, stones were pelted for several minutes before the Riot Control Police charged at those responsible. The mob started pelting stones at the demolition site where police personnel, railway staff, and journalists were present.

Subsequently, a team of Riot Control Police in additional safety gear led another lathi-charge towards the area where stone pelters were present. A few individuals were detained, while the majority dispersed inside the lanes of Behram Nagar.

The first conflict raged around 4.30 pm; protesters threw household effects at cops. Later, the police halted the demolition at the request of a few locals who wanted to collect some important items from the restricted site.

The background

The action from Western Railway with the assistance of state police, follows the order of the Bombay High Court in the matter dated April 29, 2026, permitting the removal of the unauthorised encroachments, while protecting identified eligible structures.

According to railway officials, a 2021 survey conducted with assistance from MMRDA and local NGOs identified around 100 huts eligible for rehabilitation. These homes will not be demolished until alternate accommodation is provided by the state. However, several residents have alleged that they were either excluded from the survey, among other things.

Demolition drive snapshot

Location
>> Garib Nagar, Bandra East
>> Adjacent to Bandra suburban railway station

Razing timeline
>> May 19 to May 23

Structures affected
>> 500 huts to be demolished
>> 100 huts protected pending rehabilitation

Agencies involved
>> Western Railway: RPF, Railway Engineering (Construction) Department
>> Maharashtra Police: State Reserve police, GRP, Riot Control Police.

Personnel deployed on Wednesday
>> Around 1200 officials
>> 600 police personnel
>> 600 WR and railway officials

Demolition progress
>> 60 per cent demolition done by 5 pm on Wednesday
>> Around 300 huts facing station road were razed

Official Speak

Vineet Abhishek, chief public relations officer, WR
‘We have achieved 60 per cent progress on Day 2, and the remaining demolition work is expected to be finished by Day 3. We will utilise the time till May 23 to clear the site’

Cops wounded

A police officer told mid-day, “Three cops were seriously injured and were admitted to the hospital. About eight others received minor injuries, and they were discharged after receiving treatment.” “We are registering an FIR against the attackers and are checking video recordings of the spot to identify them,” a police source added.

Input by D Vaktania