A protest in Mumbai against Assam riots today turned violent killing two people, police said.
The demonstrators torched a vehicle, damaging buses and indulging in stone-pelting prompting the police to fire in the air.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Azad Maidan Ground in south Mumbai this afternoon following a call by a city-based organisation Raza Academy to denounce the violence in Assam.
Azad Maidan Ground is located near Mumbai civic body headquarters and CST Mumbai railway station.
The protesters suddenly turned violent and torched a media vehicle and damaged buses. They also pelted stones.
Police opened fire in the air and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob, said a policeman deployed at the Azad Maidan.
At least, 16 persons were injured and two of them later succumbed in a Government hospital at south Mumbai. Among the injured were some media persons.
“Two persons, who were injured during the violence at Azad Maidan and were in critical condition, died while undergoing treatment at St George Hospital,” a police officer told PTI.
Security has been stepped up at religious places across the metropolis.
I won’t be shocked if this turns out to be pre-planned.
