POLLING IN Mumbai passed off peacefully except a few minor arguments between party workers at a few polling booths, police said on Thursday. More than 28,000 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order as polling began at 7.30 am.
Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Chaudhary said the election process remained peaceful. “There was no incident related to the poll in the city. It was a peaceful election,” he said.
The police, however, acknowledged that minor verbal altercations took place between workers of rival political parties at a few polling booths.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti visited several parts of the city along with senior officers to review security arrangements. He toured Dindoshi, Malad, D N Nagar in Andheri West and Dharavi, inspected sensitive locations and interacted with personnel deployed on duty.
A heated exchange was reported at a polling booth in the Tembipada area of Bhandup around 11 am, when workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena came face-to-face. Police intervened promptly and dispersed the people.
In another incident, a Kurla resident who went to cast his vote in Ward 163 at Kajupada alleged that he was assaulted by Shiv Sena workers after they claimed he was taking the Congress party’s name. The voter did not file a formal complaint and told The Indian Express that “the police from Sakinaka police station were standing there but they did not react. My uncle and other family members consoled me asking not to file a case”.
Senior police officers said similar verbal arguments were reported in parts of the western suburbs but did not escalate. “The verbal arguments were noticed between workers of the parties nearby but no serious offences occurred in the western suburbs,” a senior IPS officer said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemraj Rajput, Zone 7, said no FIR was registered on polling day. “There is no FIR on polling day. But the Flying Surveillance Team (FST) seized Rs 76,000 cash in the Vikhroli area from a person on Wednesday night. There are no FIRs and police are conducting an inquiry,” he said.
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Deputy Commissioner of Police Sameer Shaikh, Zone 6, said two FIRs were registered following a clash between two groups in Govandi on Wednesday night. “There was a clash between two groups in Govandi on Wednesday night and police have registered two offences. One FIR against a group for unlawful assembly, and another FIR against the other group for impersonation. Investigation is going on,” he said.
Police said the security deployment included 10 additional commissioners, 33 DCPs, 84 ACPs, around 3,000 officers and 25,000 constables. In addition, State Reserve Police Force platoons, Quick Response Teams, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad units, Riot Control Police and Home Guards were stationed at polling booths, nearby areas and sensitive locations.
Ahead of vote counting on Friday, police said traffic restrictions would be imposed near counting centres. “Since vote counting centres will see party workers gathering, it could cause traffic congestion. So, we have closed some roads and provided alternative routes,” an official said. Flag marches involving nearly 200 police personnel were conducted in sensitive areas to reassure the public and deter antisocial elements, police said.
Manish Kumar Pathak is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates substantial Expertise and Authority across the complex field of crime reporting, with a strong focus on law enforcement actions, fraud, and cyber security challenges facing the metropolitan region.
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Cyber & Financial Crime: Extensive coverage of sophisticated scams, including cases involving high-value cyber fraud, stock market manipulation scams, and fraudsters using government figures to gain trust.
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Major Incidents & Public Safety: Covers significant incidents like building collapses, road accidents, and public safety issues such as theft at large public events.
Defence & Maritime: Also covers key updates regarding the Indian Navy, including the commissioning of new vessels and strategic defense announcements.
Manish Kumar Pathak's consistent focus on crime, fraud, and the workings of the Mumbai police system establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for critical news in Western India. ... Read More
