Two held for rioting in versova-based eatery

Mumbai: The Versova police arrested two persons for allegedly rioting and causing damage in an Andheri-based restaurant, Cafe Sirocco, on Wednesday. The accused were a part of a 30-strong team of workers allegedly linked to the Swabhimani Sang-hatana who allegedly threatened to kill the hotel owner after hurling abuses at him. The complainant, café owner Kaushal Shah, approached the Versova police and registered a complaint. The arrested accused have been identified as Mehtab Shaikh  (41) and Manoj Prakash Thakur (33).

Police sources said that around 25-30 flag-bearing workers entered the eatery around midnight and started shouting slogans, demanding its closure. They also allegedly overturned tables and chairs, broke crockery and damaged the furniture. No patron or hotel staffers were injured, but a few staffers were manhandled. They also allegedly threatened to kill the owner, if he failed to oblige them. However, after a few minutes the unidentified party workers left the spot, following which the owner of the café approached the Versova police.

Upon receiving a complaint, the Versova police arrested Shaikh and Thakur, who were caught in the CCTV footage of the cameras installed in the café.