Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead: IC Colony residents on edge in wake of violence

Closed shops near IC Colony in Dahisar on Friday evening

Most shops around IC Colony remained shut on Friday in the wake of the shocking shooting of former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar. Traffic was also diverted from the area. The police maintained a heavy presence both around the colony and in Daulat Nagar. Cops were also deployed outside the residence of Ghosalkar and his murderer, Mauris Noronha, to prevent any untoward incident. Ghosalkar's last rites were conducted by his family around 5 pm at the Daulat Nagar cremation ground.

Residents anxious and wary

A shopkeeper told mid-day, "All of us kept our shutters down today because of the situation created after the shootout. We will open our shops on Saturday." A parent told this reporter, "The local school was opened as exams are being held, but lunch break was cancelled. After the test, all students were sent home. Most school buses departed at 12.45 am and children were also picked up around the same time."

Two churches deny accused burial

Noronha's last rites were conducted at Mahalaxmi near Worli. The funeral was to happen at an IC Colony-based church. However, after the Church authorities refused to allow this, the family approached a church in Mahalaxmi. But they too turned them down. Finally, with the help of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the family took the body to Mahalaxmi and buried it with Roman Catholic rituals late on Friday evening. Only relatives attended the ceremony.