College fight leads to stabbing, youth in critical state

With law and order crumbling at Nalasopara, a riot between two gangs broke out, resulting in a stabbing of a college student who acted as peacemaker.

According to Nalasopara police, teenage students of one gang late on Saturday night at Valaipada in Nalasopara (E) confronted those of the other, after one of their members was bullied by them. When one Amit Patil tried intervening to resolve the dispute, a member stabbed him, causing severe injuries.

A Nalasopara police officer said: "Complainant Manish Chauhan along with his friends went to Valaipada for confronting the rival group. After a heated argument ensued, a fight broke out with bamboo sticks and cricket stumps, and Patil was stabbed by an unknown person.

"The teens also assaulted locals when they tried to stop them and a riot-like situation occurred, as shopkeepers shut their shops. Such incidents of law and order are a major problem," said a local.

"Around 8-9 persons have been booked under section 307 (attempt to murder), 143 (punishment for rioting), 147 (rioting),148 (rioting with armed weapons), 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. We have identified the accused, who will be arrested soon," said Sunil Lokhande, investigating officer, Nalasopara police station.