Colleague attacks 26/11 fireman

Firemen say stress at work may have pushed the man to assault boss, who is in hospital with severe skull injuries

Firemen say stress at work may have pushed the man to assault boss, who is in hospital with severe skull injuries

Fireman Liyakat Mokashi (40) and his senior Mangesh Dicholkar (56) knew each other for five years and according to sources had a cordial relationship.

Incidentally, Dicholkar was one of the fire officers who was deployed on the night of 26/11 to rescue people from the Taj.

On Sunday at 12.30 am,u00a0 Mokashi grievously injured Dicholkar with a billhook (a weapon that looks like a sickle). Dicholkar was on the night shift and had reached the fire station around 11 pm.

He had begun allotting worku00a0 when Mokashi suddenly attacked him and fled before anyone could understand what had happened.

INJURED: Fireman Mangesh Dicholkar, who was part of the 26/11 rescue team at the Taj was assaulted by his colleague on Saturday

"Dicholkar was taken unawares as Mokashi attacked him from the back. It was a skull injury and he began bleeding profusely," said a fireman.

Said senior police inspector Pradeep Suryawanshi MIDC police station, "A case under section 307 (attempt to murder) was registered against Mokashi.

We visited his house in Mumbra, but he is absconding." Dicholkar who was admitted to Cooper Hospital was moved to KEM hospital on Sunday.

A doctor said, "We have asked for some tests. He may have internal injuries."

His daughter Rupali, said, "My father is a very calm person. He has never had problems with anyone in the last 20 years. We are grateful he is safe. He feels Mokashi may have attacked him because of work pressure."

The Namdeo Case

On May 24, 2003, CISF jawan R Namdeo shot dead Deputy Commandant A Karandekar at the Mumbai international airport in a fit of rage and held six otheru00a0 security personnel hostage. Namdeo's parents had alleged in court that their son had taken the extreme step after he was refused leave and humiliated.