Ahmedabad: At most garba venues, there’s usually a crowd trying to get in. But at a Navratri event near Gandhinagar on Monday, revellers arriving for a night of garba were stunned to see people running out of the venue. The reason soon became clear: bouncers were allegedly swinging swords and attacking a group of people with bamboo sticks and chains. A dispute over entry had exploded into a midnight street fight, leaving six injured and two hospitalised with head wounds.Police are now searching for the unidentified attackers.
The clash broke out at the Mandli Garba event in Nasmed village near Rancharda area around 1am
The clash broke out at the Mandli Garba event in Nasmed village near Rancharda area around 1am. A video of the attack swiftly gained traction online.Maulik Thakor, 28, who runs a cafe on the Rancharda-Ranchhodpura road, lodged a complaint with Santej police. He told police he went to the event with his younger brother, Tushar, and friends, including Hiren Patel.According to the complaint, Maulik was scanning the group’s entry passes at the gate when a bouncer asked Hiren to enter the venue. Hiren allegedly said he would wait until Maulik finished scanning the passes.
Video grab of bouncers attacking revellers with swords, sticks and chains at garba venue in Rancharda, Gandhinagar
The exchange led to an argument between Hiren and the bouncer. When Maulik and Tushar stepped in to calm things down, another bouncer allegedly pulled out a sword and swung it at Maulik. He ducked, but the hilt struck him on the head, leaving him bleeding.The situation then spiralled, with around 10 more bouncers allegedly arriving at the spot carrying swords, sticks and chains, the complaint stated.Maulik told police that the bouncers struck Lalji Thakor on the right shoulder with the hilt of a sheathed sword while Anil Thakor suffered an injury to his right hand. Vivek Thakor was hit on the head with a sword’s hilt, he further alleged.
The bouncers struck revellers on the shoulder and head with the swords’ hilt
“Mehul Thakor was struck on his left hand with the hilt of a sheathed sword. Ramesh Thakor suffered an injury to his left arm after allegedly being hit with an iron chain,” Maulik told police.The injured were rushed to a private hospital in Shilaj. Anil, Mehul, Lalji and Ramesh were treated and discharged, while Maulik and Vivek were admitted because of their head injuries.Maulik also told police that his Apple iPhone 13 went missing during the scuffle. He subsequently contacted his father, who was on his way to the venue.Santej police have registered a complaint against the unidentified bouncers.
