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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday defended the ongoing demolition drive in Bandra East, stating that the action was being carried out in accordance with legal provisions and Bombay High Court order.

Speaking about the tensions during the operation in Garib Nagar, Fadnavis said that some miscreants allegedly pelted stones at police personnel deployed for bandobast at the site. He added that police later used a mild lathi charge to control the situation and maintain law and order.

CM was speaking with the press in Mumbai on Thursday.

The chief minister further said that cases have been registered against those involved in the violence, and action is being taken against the accused.

Heavy police deployment continues in the area as the anti-encroachment drive progresses.

10 named in FIR 

A day after the police the stone pelting in incident, the police began taking action against those identified. The police have named 10 people in the FIR.

The cops have made multiple arrests in connection with the violence during the ongoing demolition drive in the Garib Nagar area of Bandra.

Officials said the arrests were made after incidents of stone pelting were reported during the anti-encroachment operation being carried out by Western Railway.

According to police, tensions escalated on Wednesday when some people allegedly hurled stones during the demolition drive.

Police said the demolition resumed on May 20 after work could not be completed on the first day.

According to the FIR, at around 4.30 pm, a group of nearly 100 to 150 people allegedly gathered at the site and began shouting slogans against the operation.

It stated that the police personnel deployed at the location repeatedly appealed to the crowd through megaphones to disperse. However, the gathering allegedly became aggressive and started pelting stones at police personnel and security staff.

Some people allegedly threw cement blocks towards police officers and personnel deployed for security during the operation.

Police said mild force was later used to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.

Heavy Police deployment

Hundreds of police personnel from Mumbai Police, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Police Force (RPF) remain deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest.

Officials said security arrangements have been tightened around the demolition site.