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Cops put the brakes on highway bike racers

Biker gangs shift their 'base' from Bandra Reclamation to Eastern Urban Road

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Vikhroli police have booked 54 persons and seized 25 bikes over the weekend
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The notorious bike racing gangs of Mumbai seem to have shifted their 'racing circuit' from Bandra Reclamation to the Eastern Urban Road (EUR) near Vikhroli. The Vikhroli police have booked 54 persons for conducting bike race on weekends and seized 25 bikes this month. The Mumbai Police have seen a rise in illegal racing on this road and have now started cracking the whip against these bikers.

In a surprise nakabandi to nab bike racers on Sunday night, the Vikhroli police booked twelve persons, including three minors, and seized five bikes. Police teams launched the crackdown after locals complained about bikers racing along the dimly lit stretch on the EUR, which has fewer traffic signals than on the Western Urban Road (WUR).

"We have spotted over hundred bikers racing along the stretch of Eastern Urban Road, and after receiving complaints, we conducted a surprise nakabandi to bust the gang of bikers who are involved in racing for money," said a Vikhroli police officer, who did not wish to be named.

Shridhar Hanchate, Senior Inspector of Vikhroli police station, said: "Over 50 to 60 bikers come on the roads and race in batches. We have to be very cautious while nabbing them, because while trying to flee from police, they might end up hitting the barricades at full speed, leading to accidents."

"We will be carrying out such surprise checks on the highway to ensure that racing or speeding does not take place. These races are conducted for prize money, and at times, it becomes difficult to chase them in patrolling vans as they vanish in a few minutes at different locations," said Hanchate.

The Vikhroli police arrested twelve persons under sections 279 (rash driving), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.

A senior Mumbai Police officer said, "Earlier, these bikers used to race at Bandra Reclamation, and now they seem to have chosen EUR for racing as it is a long stretch with fewer traffic signals. This gives them an open and free road. We have identified a few people who are the ring leaders of these bike racing gangs in the city. We will soon crack the whip against them."

… & ANALYSIS

Bike racing at Bandra Reclamation has in the past claimed lives of bikers and other motorists on the road. Bike racing on the Eastern Urban Road is a cause of concern, as it poses threat of high-speed accidents. The problem should be nipped in the bud by the police with sustained vigil

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