Author: Manasi Phadke
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: August 12, 2012
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/i-saw-crowd-tossing-cop-in-the-air/987212/0

Policemen trying to control the rioting mob at Azad Maidan on Saturday afternoon were among the 50-odd people injured in the incident. They were mostly hit by stones protesters pelted at them and they were hit on the head, legs, back and stomach. Of the 54 injured, 45 were policemen. Eight of them suffered serious head injuries. Their condition was reported to be stable.

A few police officers and constables had suffered skull injuries after they were hit by blunt, hard objects, doctors treating some of the cops said. The injured were rushed to the nearby Gokuldas Tejpal and St George Hospitals.

Anil Chavan, a 22-year-old constable said he was injured on the thighs and abdomen when the mob attacked him with sticks, helmets and stones.

“After setting the media van on fire, the crowd went furious and started manhandling a policeman. I could see them tossing a policeman up several times. I, along with about eight others, immediately rushed to help the policeman. They wouldn’t let us. Suddenly a huge mob came from behind us and started attacking us with helmets, rods, and whatever they could get their hands on,” Chavan, who is usually posted at the Mumbai police headquarters, said.

Digambar Hundekar, a 30-year-old constable attached to the Azad Maidan police station was hit by stones on the head.

“I was stationed at Azad Maidan for the bandobast needed for the planned protest. The mob suddenly turned violent and started torching cars and pelting stones,” said Hundekar, whose head was heavily bandaged. “I am fine now except for a severe headache.”

About 25 of the injured were rushed to GT Hospital, 27 to St George Hospital and a few to JJ Hospital.

“Of the 25 patients admitted here, only two are civilians. They are out of danger now, but a few of the injured policemen have skull injuries. They were hit by a hard blunt object,” said Dr Jitendra Sankpal, medical superintendent at GT Hospital.