Navi Mumbai: Vashi Mini Seashore murder sparks demand for tighter security, 24x7 police presence

The murder of 18yearold Sujankumar Feku Mahato at Vashirsquos Mini Seashore has prompted residents and regular morning walkers to demand tighter security at the popular waterfrontMahato a resident of Ghansoli was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon in the early hours of August 29 near St Maryrsquos Garden Police later arrested two 20yearold men Sahil Ananda Surve and Sahil Yashwant Kharat in connection with the killingInvestigators said the attack followed a dispute over a Rs 50 difference in an autorickshaw fare Days after the killing Vashibased activist Madhu Shankar launched a signature campaign at Mini Seashore The memorandum submitted to Vashi Police and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation NMMC has 105 signaturesMorning walkers and joggers sign the petition seeking tighter security at Mini Seashore PicsBy Special ArrangementResidents are seeking a permanent police presence regular patrolling functional CCTV cameras better lighting and pruning of overgrown bushesWhat happened to MahatoAugust 29 Early morning18yearold Sujankumar Feku Mahato was attacked near St Maryrsquos Garden at Mini SeashorePolice investigationPolice said Mahato had picked up two passengers near Koparkhairane railway station A dispute allegedly broke out over a Rs 150 fare when the passengers said they had Rs 100 The argument allegedly escalated during the journeyMini SeashorePolice said the two passengers attacked Mahato with a sharp weapon injuring his neck head and hands before fleeing in his autorickshawSeptember 1Police arrested Sahil Ananda Surve and Sahil Yashwant Kharat both 20 in Mankhurd after examining CCTV footage and following other leadsOfficial police accountldquoWe scanned more than 150 CCTV cameras over 48 hours We prepared sketches and shared details of the accusedrsquos physical appearance with informers in the Mankhurd area We also checked Mahtorsquos call details and based on the investigation traced the accused to their homes in Mankhurdrdquo DCP Crime Bhausaheb DholeResidents say security has deterioratedRegular users of Mini Seashore say their concerns predate the recent murderlsquoWe feel ashamed walking pastrsquoNalin Sharma a builder associated with Sai Developers who has been walking at Mini Seashore for around 15 years said families had become increasingly uncomfortable with the behaviour of some visitorsldquoEvery morning and evening couples occupy the benches and corners here and cross every limit of public decency We ourselves feel ashamed walking past with our families Security at this spot needs to be increased immediately so that no untoward incident happens here againrdquolsquoThe character of the place has changedrsquoChandrasen Angre a retired RBI employee and regular walker for around a decade said he had noticed a change over the past one to two yearsldquoI have been coming here for ten years but in the last one to two years antisocial elements have turned this into hell What example are they setting for the senior citizens and children who come here with their parents to playrdquolsquoCCTV cameras need to be checkedrsquoDadasaheb Patankar another signatory questioned whether the existing surveillance system is functionalldquoAll the CCTV cameras installed here need to be checked by NMMC to ensure they are actually in working condition and police patrolling needs to happen on a regular basis not just on paperrdquolsquoWe want actual police presencersquoMangesh Borkade said the existing security arrangement does not provide the kind of police presence residents wantldquoThere is already a temporary chowky here but itrsquos manned by NMMC security guards not police We want an actual police presence round the clock so that action can be taken immediately if something goes wrongrdquolsquoNobody feels safe after darkrsquoDilip Panchal another signatory said residents had lost their sense of securityldquoThis spot is meant for families and senior citizens but right now nobody feels safe here after dark or even in broad daylight A permanent police posting is the only way residents will trust this place againrdquoResidents also raise concerns about public behaviourThe memorandum raises complaints about couples allegedly engaging in intimate or obscene acts around benches and secluded portions of the promenade particularly during morning and evening hours Residents have also alleged that some areas are used by smokers and drug usersWhat does the law saySection 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with obscene acts and songs in public places when they cause annoyance to others The provision carries a punishment of up to three monthsrsquo imprisonment a fine of up to Rs 1000 or bothThe residentsrsquo memorandum calls for preventive action and counselling where appropriate particularly in cases involving students before stricter action is taken against repeat offenderslsquoThis is not against the youthrsquoCampaign organiser Madhu Shankar said the campaign is aimed at improving safety rather than targeting young couples or studentsldquoMini Seashore is not a private bedroom it is a public heritage built from taxpayersrsquo money Today families morning walkers and schoolchildren are scared to come here Common benches meant for senior citizens are hijacked by couples indulging in obscene acts in broad daylight Minor kids from nearby schools get exposed to obscenity at a tender age which leaves a deep impact on their mindsrdquoldquoHighprofile citizens the elderly and women have all voiced their concerns to me My signature campaign is not against any student it is to make Mini Seashore safe again We demand that Vashi Police make the police chowky at Mini Seashore functional 24x7 increase patrolling install CCTV and NMMC improve lighting Students should be counselled with their parents This is an ageold issue and it must be solved keeping aside politics by involving police municipality the general public and social workersrdquo she addedShankar said the campaign was launched after elderly people women and schoolchildren told her they had begun feeling unsafe at the waterfront ldquoThis is about the safety of our childrenrdquo she saidThe residentsrsquo demandsDemand What residents wantPolice presence Functional 24x7 police chowkyPatrolling Regular police patrolsWomenrsquos safety Beatlady constables during peak hoursCCTV All cameras checked and kept functionalLighting Better illumination across the promenadeVisibility Pruning of overgrown bushesPublic behaviour Warning boards on obscene actsRepeat offenders Strict action where required