KALYAN: Navratri celebrations turned violent after a group of youths allegedly armed with koytas (sharp-edged weapons) stormed a religious gathering in Varap village near Kalyan in the early hours of Monday, attacked a man and vandalised parked vehicles, triggering panic among devotees.Following a complaint, Titwala police registered a case against eight individuals. The named accused include Pratyush Jadhav, Vinayak Madhne, Roshan Choudhary, Dipesh Lokhande, Mahesh Jaiswar, Ayush Pandey and two others.Titwala police have arrested two accused, Mahesh Jaiswar, 21, and Ayush Pandey, 19. A 17-year-old minor was also taken into custody 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 traditional havan after the garba festivities.According to the complaint registered with Titwala police, eight youths allegedly arrived at the venue on three motorcycles from neighbouring Maharal village. 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 the complainant, Rahul 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 are investigating the case and making efforts to trace the remaining accused.
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