Mumbai: Days before Eid al-Adha, clashes broke out in Mumbai’s Mira Road over an alleged plan to sacrifice goats.
The incident took place when residents of Poonam Cluster 1 society protested against the presence of goats inside the premises, ANI reported. An FIR has been registered.
Tempers rose as the two groups threw allegations and counter-allegations at each other, with the confrontation eventually turning violent.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) coordinator Harsh Singh alleged that around 40 to 50 goats were
brought inside the premises, adding that it causes many difficulties, including breathing problems, for senior citizens.
“BMC did not allow them to do this. The goats were brought here illegally,” Singh told ANI.
He alleged being attacked with a knife by a Muslim person, resulting in injury to his hand.
“We went to the police station, and an FIR was registered,” the VHP official said, expressing his anguish that the section of attempt to murder was not included in the FIR.
“Our primary demand is that Section 307 (attempt to murder) be registered against the accused,” Singh added.
After a scuffle broke out between the two groups on Monday night, several complaints were filed by Hindu residents, ABP News reported.
The Mumbai municipal corporation (BMC) on Tuesday took down the shed which was set up for the goats.
Tensions resurfaced after members of the Muslim community tried to rebuild the shed. This led to protests in and outside the housing society.
The goats were later removed from the complex.
The administration deployed a heavy police force at the location, as officials tried to disperse the crowd and ease tensions.