A bizarre scene unfolded in Mira Road, Thane, on Tuesday when a policeman was seen running frantically with a pig in his arms while a crowd chased him, attempting to seize the animal. Residents claimed the pig was brought in as part of a protest. The trigger for this unusual showdown was a dispute over goats housed in a temporary shed within a housing society ahead of Bakrid.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy erupted at the Poonam Cluster area's Srishti Complex after approximately 40 to 50 goats were allegedly brought into the housing society premises for qurbani rituals associated with Eid ul-Adha. According to local residents and police officials, the animals were kept inside a temporary shed erected within the society compound, which immediately drew objections from some residents and Hindu organisations.
Residents opposing the arrangement argued that animal sacrifice should not take place inside a residential complex and should instead be conducted only at officially designated locations. Locals also complained about hygiene and inconvenience caused by the large number of goats inside the premises.
Police and Municipal Response
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mira-Bhayandar Rahul Chauhan said objections were raised after goats were brought into the society premises for sacrifice ahead of Eid ul-Adha. He stated that the administration convened a meeting upon receiving objections, and the Municipal Corporation designated a specific location for this purpose.
According to officials, the temporary structure erected for housing the goats was dismantled after protests. However, tensions escalated on Monday evening when members of the Muslim community allegedly gathered in protest, and heated arguments broke out between members of both communities. Police intervened to pacify both sides, but a scuffle allegedly broke out later that night.
Escalation and Counter-Protest
The situation intensified further on Tuesday when protesting residents gathered outside the society gates, raised slogans, recited the Hanuman Chalisa, and attempted to bring a pig inside the complex in a counter-protest. Visuals from the spot showed members of certain Hindu groups carrying pigs near the protest site.
Heavy deployment of Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police personnel was made across sensitive pockets of the area to prevent escalation. Police officials said the situation was eventually brought under control after the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) shifted the goats from the society premises to a designated municipal site using three pickup trucks.
Resolution and Allegations
DCP Chauhan said residents later mutually agreed to relocate the animals. He confirmed that the goats had been shifted from the society to the designated municipal site and that there were no issues currently.
However, some residents and Hindu groups alleged that the goats had been brought into the society illegally and should never have been allowed inside the residential complex. Vishwa Hindu Parishad coordinator Harsh Singh told ANI that the presence of the goats had created problems for residents. He further claimed that tensions escalated during discussions inside the society and alleged that one person attacked protesters with a knife. Singh stated that an FIR was registered but did not include the section of attempt to murder, which they demanded.
Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also visited Mira Road and demanded a ban on animal sacrifice inside housing societies, insisting that only designated spaces should be used for such purposes.
Summary of Events
- Around 40-50 goats were allegedly brought into the Poonam Cluster housing society ahead of Bakrid.
- A temporary shed was erected inside the society premises to house the goats for qurbani rituals.
- Some residents and Hindu organisations objected to goats being kept inside a residential complex.
- Residents insisted animal sacrifice should take place only at officially designated municipal sites.
- Tensions escalated after protests, slogan shouting, and counter demonstrations outside the society gates.
- The situation intensified after some protesters attempted to bring a pig inside the complex.
- Police and MBMC later intervened and shifted the goats to a designated civic site to restore order.
