Five hurt as rival groups attack each other
Kolhapur: About ten houses were severly damaged and five persons including three women were injured in two seperate incidents of attacks between rival groups at Sudhakar Joshi Nagar slum in Kolhapur today.No arrests have been made so far. Both groups had registered cross complaints.
According to Juna Rajwada police, the first incident took place late last night, when a group of people attacked the house of Shivaji Gurav. Gurav's house was totally damaged during attack, while Geeta Rahimpathan, Amar Londhe and Suryakant Choughule were injured in the assault. In his complaint filed at Juna Rajwada police station, Gurav alleged that his house was attacked by a group of people led by Bajrang Mahajan and Shivaji Shete.
He also cited his friendship with former corporator Pandurang Adsul, as the reason behind the attack. Following this incident yesterday night, the Gurav group retaliated today morning, as a nearly 10-15 men armed with sticks charged into the house of Kanchan Shete.
They damaged almost every household item and equipments in Shete's house and further caused damage to nearby houses. Following such a fearsom retaliation, Kanchan Shete lodged a complaint at Juna Rajwada police station today morning. In his complaint, he accused Basava Londhe, Dau Fernandes and others to have masterminded and carried out attack on his house.
Two women, Babi Mahajan and Jaya were injured in this attack. They are being treated at a private hospital in the city. Rivalry between these two groups, has surfaced in Sudhakar Joshi Nagar slum, in the vicinity of Sambhaji Nagar. The colony, was tense throughout the day as police were maintaining a strict vigil.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.