Koparkhairne suddenly was the eye of a storm. Nobody had any itch in Ghansoli (where the fight started) but people in Koparkhairne did not get their sleep.
Last Saturday was a mess in its worst. A
crowd gathered (women and children included) on the street our building
is. They were armed with bottle, pipes, stones, bricks and frying pans!!
The Government did a show of strength with hundreds of Police (khakis) and
Rapid Action Force (blues). It was all Korean style, they RAF had fiber
shields, and armed with a Rifle and a Cane. There was even a Satellite
Communication van parked. The Media people were climbing on top of one another.
The Mob stoned everything and anything. The
Star TV and Sahara Samay Van were smashed. The NDTV Van made a quick exit.
The TV News Channels (san NDTV) broadcast live, and there was my
building on National TV (I hope the landlord don't increase the rent this
month, as this is the most notorious address in town). RAF had a Armoured
Vehicle which threw Tear gas Canisters on the mob. The Mumbai Police fired
in the air, I presume blanks as there were high raised nearby and their
aims were as shaky as it can be. There were a good session of canning and stone
pelting. The show put forward by the female constables and RAF jawans
were impressive. The mess stayed for 30 min when the ambulances were
brought to carry the injured.
Tina saw all this from a balcony seat, as we
are in the 1st floor facing the road. I was in office, enjoying the
Air Conditioner. I went back home after I heard shots over the telephone
while talking to Tina. I was at work and my manager asked me to leave my laptop
back at office. (I still think it was more in concern with loss of data and not
a courtesy). I took a taxi which refused to go beyond Vashi. So I had to walk
the rest. It was already an hour past since the Mob screwed up. There were
Burnt Motorcycles and they were steaming. The road was filled with Glass pieces
and bricks. There were Khakis and Blues all over. There were no Curfew yet and
people were huddled up in small groups. So I had this long walk home
amidst destruction where probably a few hundreds clashed with police an
hour back. The mood of the people around was not comfortable at all.
I was home and then got all the eye account
of the incident. There was a Star TV Truck and a few police at our gate.
Curfew was declared shortly. We had enough
ration to run for a week.
Next day, Sunday, not a crow was seen in the
vicinity. All were in doors. There was a relaxation for 3 hours in the
evening when we brought more ration at an exorbitant price. I think the
mob was encouraged by these shopkeepers to have windfall. And I got one pumpkin
and few fruits too. Spent the day and night over the TV and papers and books
and food. We also had a good marathon session of Cooking.
Next day was Monday and Curfew was lifted
partially. Things were struggling back to normal.
Today, Tuesday 21 March 2006, I am back at office. Hope
there is no backlash or anything and people and administration will let
people be.
Trijoy and Anindita lived at Koperkhairne at Navi Mumbai from 2005 to 2009. This reporting is restored from an old archive from a mail group. The riot took place on 18th of March 2006 in the vicinity of their residence during the festival of colours when two groups clashed and the situation escalated.