Violence broke out in Mumbai’s Bandra on Wednesday after a demolition operation targeting alleged illegal structures on railway land triggered clashes between protesters and police personnel. Several officers sustained injuries after stones were allegedly hurled at security teams during the confrontation.
According to officials, the unrest began when authorities carried out an anti-encroachment drive near the railway premises and a crowd gathered at the site to oppose the action. Police said attempts were made to persuade the protesters to disperse peacefully, but the situation escalated when some individuals allegedly began pelting stones at law enforcement personnel.
Security forces later used batons to push back the crowd and bring the situation under control. Authorities stated that heavy police deployment has been maintained across the area to prevent further disturbances.
Officials said more than 1,000 police personnel have been stationed in and around the locality as part of an intensified security arrangement following the violence. Investigation teams have also launched a large-scale operation to identify people allegedly involved in the clashes.
Police sources said several suspects were traced using facial recognition technology and local intelligence inputs. Search operations are currently underway in nearby neighbourhoods, with teams reportedly conducting raids to detain those accused of participating in the violence.
Investigators also claimed to have recovered piles of stones and abandoned footwear from the protest site, which authorities believe suggests preparations had been made in advance for possible confrontation.
The unrest occurred amid an ongoing anti-encroachment campaign launched by Western Railway near Bandra railway station following directions issued by the Bombay High Court.
Railway officials said the multi-day operation is aimed at clearing encroachments spread across thousands of square metres of railway land. Authorities stated that the land is expected to be used for future infrastructure expansion and redevelopment projects linked to Bandra Terminus.
Planned redevelopment work in the area reportedly includes elevated access roads, additional railway platforms, maintenance facilities and integrated transport infrastructure intended to improve passenger movement at one of Mumbai’s busiest railway hubs.
The demolition exercise is being jointly coordinated by railway authorities, civic agencies, local police and railway protection forces. Officials said the situation remains under control, though security presence in the locality continues to remain high as a precautionary measure.
