Police Cane-charge Water Protestors in Mumbai, One Dead

During protest against 15% cut in water supply, police cane charged protesters on Thursday who have thronged the headquarters of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in south Mumbai. One person was killed and several others were injured in the lathicharge.

The protestor died of injuries in hospital. Protesters claimed that he died from injuries sustained during the police crackdown, but the initial medical report shows that the death occurred from heart failure. Among the protesters were Congress workers.

Earlier, waving red flags and shouting slogans against the BMC, the protesters pulled down barricades put up by the police and tried to barge into the corporation headquarters. Police rained blows on the agitators as things went out of control.

The agitators had gathered from several parts of the city and the suburbs. They were brought in by NGO Swabhiman, run by Nitesh Rane, the son of Congress leader Narayan Rane.

“This protest is against the water mafia in the city. People are being forced to buy water. This is just the beginning. We will keep protesting until regular water supply is started,” said Nitesh.