FIR lodged against organisers of Navi Mumbai protest march

Thousands had participated in the march. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Acting tough against violators of the restrictions due to Covid-19, the Navi Mumbai police on Friday booked all the political leaders behind the CIDCO Gherao at Belapur on Thursday under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and other acts. The police also registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Panvel mayor, deputy mayor, MLAs and members of the All Party Action Committee who arranged the protest, seeking the naming of the Navi Mumbai International Airport after leader Dinkar Balu Patil - Di Ba Patil. Around 20,000 protesters have been booked by the NRI police.

The All Party Action Committee had arranged the protest, seeking the naming of the Navi Mumbai International Airport after leader Dinkar Balu Patil

More than 40,000 protesters had participated in the protest march which was stopped just before the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters and a meeting was held. A delegation of the committee met CIDCO officials and asked them to send a proposal of Patil's name for the airport.

Police speak

The Navi Mumbai police had earlier denied permission for the protest. DCP (Zone 2) Shivraj Patil said, "The protest had no permission, it was forbidden to hold such a massive protest amidst the pandemic. Hence an offence has been registered against organisers, participant leaders and others in the NRI police station".

The FIR has been registered against the president of the All Party Action Committee Dashrath Patil; its executive president Prashant Thakur; vice-president Ramsheth Thakur; ex-MP Jagannath Thakur; MLAs Mahesh Baldi, Ganpat Gaikwad, Manda Mhatre, Raju Patil, Kisan Kathore, Panvel Mayor Savita Chautmol and Dy Mayor Jagdish Gaikwad.

The offence has been registered under IPC sections 143 (member of an unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act, Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act 1985 and the Maharashtra Police Act.

‘Could be super spreader'

Doctors have warned that this event could cause many new cases of Covid-19. "Any event where thousands of people gather can become a super spreader. In the wake of the Delta Plus variant, which is highly infectious, the event can become a headache for local authorities. Exposure to viruses in crowds can show symptoms varying from 2 days to 8 days. Civic authorities have to be very cautious now," said Dr Avinash Supe, member of the state task force.