Mumbai: A police constable suffered burn injuries while trying to put out firecrackers during the Urs procession at Mahim Dargah on Sunday night.
The incident took place when a sandal procession was being taken to Mahim Dargah, in which firecrackers were busted. Since there is a ban on things that cause noise pollution after 10 pm, the police constable present on the spot stopped the people involved in the procession from bursting firecrackers, but they did not oblige. The constable tried to put off the cracker.
"Some persons taking part in the procession were bursting crackers. The on duty inspector had asked the constable to put out the firecrackers for the sake of safety of the participants. The constable was injured while dousing the firecrackers with his feet," a police officer said.
According to the Mahim police officer, three brothers were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) for bursting crackers in close proximity of people amid a procession.
The injured policeman, identified as Namdev Landge, was immediately taken to the Bhabha Hospital, the doctor gave him first aid and allowed him to go home. "We are investigating the case by registering an FIR in this matter," the police officer said.
The 10-day Mahim fair started with high enthusiasm among devotees. The fair that has been celebrating since 1910 has the honour of the police offering the first Sandal to the 14th century Sufi Saint Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi whose grave is at the Mahim Dargah. There is also a tradition of saluting the Dargah by the Mumbai Police.
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