Futala chowpatty clash undoes community policing efforts

Nagpur: A bloody scuffle over hurling roasted maize led to the arrest of four persons who had locked horns at Futala chowpatty on Tuesday. One was injured in the clash.
It is learnt that the fight commenced after some visitors, namely Atish Khapekar, Rushab Khapekar and Kohinoor Bhanuse were enjoying roasted maize when one of them recklessly threw the leftovers towards a small child accompanying a woman vendor in the vicinity. A heated argument ensued after the angry woman vendor confronted the Khapekars and their friend for littering the place in this manner.
She had also said that insulting the child in such a manner by throwing leftovers towards him was not done. Sources said that one of the friends, who were enjoying the corn, was under the influence of alcohol.
“The incident had taken place just after police patrol had returned after making a round at the chowpatty,” said a woman cop from Ambazari police station. Enraged on being confronted, the Khapekars and his friend had started abusing the woman. Another tea stall owner and some passersby targeted the Khapekars and his friend for relentlessly targeting the woman vendor. A bloodied Atish is learnt to have alerted the police while some other passersby called up the control room.
Atish, Rushab and Kohinoor were arrested following the complaints of the woman and booked for outraging modesty of a woman. The tea stall owner and some other unidentified persons were booked for assault, following the complaint of Atish who was injured in the clash.
Ambazari police had been regularly communicating with chowpatty visitors regarding spending peaceful time at the place and maintain a public-friendly ambience. Senior PI Vijay Kare of Ambazari police said the cops had started meeting the visitors, especially the younger generations, to ensure they help keep the place free of chaos and ruckus.
“We have also written letters to the corporator and civic body asking for a watch tower to be erected at the place, deploying personnel and lifeboats to save lives in case somebody attempts to commit suicide there by jumping into the lake,” said Kare. The PI said the attempt was being made to make the Futala chowpatty safe and secure.