Kalyan: Navratri celebrations turned chaotic after a group of youths allegedly armed with sharp-edged weapons stormed a religious gathering in Varap village near Kalyan in the early hours of Monday, threatened devotees, injured a man and vandalised parked vehicles. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.The video purportedly shows the youths arriving on three motorcycles while a garba event was underway. They are seen brandishing machete triggering panic among attendees, who run in different directions. The group is also seen allegedly threatening people gathered at the venue.Titwala police have registered an offence against eight persons and arrested two accused, Mahesh Jaiswar, 21, and Ayush Pandey, 19. A 17-year-old minor was also detained and sent to a juvenile home.Mukesh Dhage, senior police inspector of Titwala police station, said, “In this connection, we have arrested two accused and one minor who has been sent to a juvenile home.”The incident took place around 12.30am on October 19 at the garba ground opposite a Zilla Parishad school, where the local Sarvajanik Mahila Mandal was conducting a havan hike some। groups were enjoying garba dance.According to the complaint filed by Rahul Gondhale, eight youths allegedly arrived at the venue from neighbouring Maharal village on three motorcycles. They allegedly abused people, created a ruckus and struck plastic chairs with their weapons, frightening women and families attending the religious ceremony.When local residents intervened and questioned the group, the situation escalated. One of the youths allegedly struck Chetan Pal on the head with a koyta, injuring him. The attackers also allegedly attempted to assault Gondhale.Before fleeing towards Maharal, the group allegedly vandalised parked cars and auto-rickshaws, smashing their windowpanes. The suspects also reportedly attempted to attack another resident, Nitin Choudhary, while escaping.Police have registered a case against eight individuals. The named accused include Pratyush Jadhav, Vinayak Madhne, Roshan Choudhary, Dipesh Lokhande, Mahesh Jaiswar and Ayush Pandey. Police are investigating the case and making efforts to trace the remaining accused.
