Daijiworld Media Network – Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, Jan 21: A day after the results of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) elections were declared, tension gripped Ishwar Nagar and Sadhguru Nagar areas on Saturday following an alleged late-night ruckus by a group of youths brandishing swords.
According to local residents and bystanders, some youths carrying swords allegedly roamed the area, hurled abuses, assaulted residents and passersby, and damaged shop shutters, creating fear and unrest in the locality. The incident reportedly took place hours after the announcement of the NMMC election results on Friday, January 16.
The poll results saw a landslide victory for the BJP–Shiv Sena (Shinde)-led Mahayuti, with the BJP winning 65 seats and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) securing 43 seats out of the total 111 seats in the civic body.
The entire episode was captured on CCTV cameras, following which the Rabale MICD police rushed to the spot and deployed additional force to prevent further escalation and to restore calm in the affected areas.
However, residents have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the response of the authorities, alleging that no concrete action has been initiated so far to identify or arrest the accused. Locals have questioned who the sword-wielding youths were and demanded clarity on when strict action would be taken against those involved.
Meanwhile, under the new multi-member panel system, the NMMC elections were conducted across 28 wards. Apart from the Mahayuti’s sweeping win, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) managed to secure two seats, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which had formed a pre-poll alliance, won one seat.
Police officials said further investigation is under way, and efforts are being made to identify those involved using CCTV footage.