In Vasai West, Stella Aatank unleashes reign of terror

Shashank Shenderkar shows his injuries; (right) house help Ranjana Katela who saved his life

As he headed to an acquaintance's home on his bike on March 26, a gang tried to mug banking executive Shashank Shenderkar in his own neighbourhood in Vasai West. They chased him even after he escaped to a bungalow in the vicinity. Shenderkar, 37, was saved only after a woman househelp confronted the goons. Locals said the gang, Stella Aatank, has unleashed terror in the area.

Active on Vasai-Chulna Road, the thugs, who are usually high on drugs, have become a huge nuisance for citizens. Families are too scared to step out after dark. Poor lighting on the road only helps the gang, they said.

The Manikpur police arrested two of Shenderkar's attackers, though the complainant and his neighbours feel the cops should have added charges for dacoity in FIR. The locals have now started a signature campaign to press the authorities to end the reign of Stella Aatank.

A grab from CCTV footage shows one of the gang members with a tile; (right) In this grab, househelp Katela confronts an aggressive gang member

Police said one of the members of Stella Aatank was arrested for motorcycle theft, while the residents of the area claim the gang members also snatch mobile phones, dismantle the devices and sell the parts.

Horror unfolds for banker

"I was on my motorcycle and going to meet someone in the neighbourhood. Four young boys stopped me and started demanding money. When I objected, they first attacked me while one of them tried to snatch my cellphone and snatch money," Shenderkar told mid-day.

"In a few minutes, three more youth joined this gang and they started abusing me. All of them caught my collar and pushed me against the boundary wall of a bungalow before punching me in the stomach. I somehow managed to flee myself and screamed for help. The neighbours stepped out and they tried to scare these hooligans but the latter, all high on drugs, started pelting stones," he added.

The locals have started a signature drive to press authorities to take action. Pics/Hanif Patel

Shenderkar took shelter in a nearby bungalow, but they jumped over the gate and tried to assault him again. "But a housemaid, Ranjana Katela, confronted them and scared them away. One of the hooligans picked up a heavy tile and threatened to smash her face but she remained undeterred. Katela saved me," he added.

I'm now scared: house help

Recalling the incident, Katela said, "We all heard a commotion. When I peeped out, I saw a group of boys assaulting a man who lives in the neighbourhood. I alerted everyone at home to rescue the lone man. Had I not intervened, they might have killed him. I come here in the morning to work and return home late evening. Now, I am also scared to come to this area alone. I am a housemaid and they will now target me," said Katela, who lives in a tribal hamlet nearby.

Supriya Sathe, whose house Shenderkar was heading to when the incident took place, said the gang members consume drugs and alcohol in an open field. "Being a female, I am scared to go out alone. I am worried for my daughter who often has to go alone to college and the area is completely deserted with no street lamps. There is thick bush all around the field where the gang often brings in girls and sit till late in the night after switching on their mobile torches. The whole night they create noise, they scream… ," said Sathe, 42, adding, "We all are reeling under fear…I am worried for the safety of my college-going daughter."

Felix Rodrigues, a senior citizen, said, "We have informed police many times but no concrete step has been taken. After this incident, I have made a complaint and taking the signatures of all the local residents. I am sending this application to senior police officers, home minister, and other heavyweights to get rid of this nuisance."

"I have been living here for decades but we started to face this problem in the last two years. Most of the youth take drugs and alcohol in the open field. One can see the paper used to roll weed, empty beer bottles and cigarette butts in the field which is five minutes walk from here," said Rodrigues, a retired administration officer from Nehru Science Centre, Worli.