MUMBAI, May 26: The police resorted to bursting tear gas shells when Dharavi residents turned violent allegedly over the death of an infant during a demolition drive at the slums this afternoon.The incident took place when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was carrying out demolition at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar slums at around 11 am. Witnessing about 125 huts razed, the residents turned violent and started pelting stones at the demolition squad. According to eyewitnesses a bamboo allegedly fell on the head of an eight-month-old girl killing her on the spot. The bamboo was shoved by a bulldozer used in the demolition, eyewitnesses added.Deepa, mother of the dead girl, said the demolition squad was responsible for the death of her daughter Soni. ``I fed her milk and put her to sleep and was packing to vacate when I heard a cry. I rushed back to see my husband weeping with the dead baby on his lap, but the bulldozers kept coming on us,'' said Deepa. Soni was rushed to LMT Hospital at Sion, but was declareddead before admission. Her body has been sent to Rajawadi Hospital at Ghatkopar for post mortem. After the news of the infant's death spread, around 1.55 pm a mob of 500-600 persons pelted stones at the demolition squad and tried to stop it. The police resorted to a mild lathicharge and fired eight tear gas shells to scattered the mob.Police denied the infant died due to an accident due to demolition but dehydration. ``Residents usually resort to various tactics to gain sympathy during demolitions,'' a police official asserted.
