Thane: Two young couples were allegedly beaten by a group of villagers during their visit to the Malang Hajj Temple, where the authorities had banned tourists, in the Thane Maharashtra district, the police said on Wednesday.
While the victims claimed they were attacked by villagers because they were wearing shorts and traveled to the Hilltop temple despite a ban, the police said they saw their complaints.
A manhunt has been launched for villagers who beat the couple who had gone to Haji Malang near Kalyan on Sunday night, the police said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ambernath Division) vs.
Nare told reporters that based on the complaints of the victims, the police had registered a case below the IPC section related to the persecution, attack, and threats to villagers of six to seven.
Narale said the couple had gone to Haji Malang because of sightseeing when the villagers stopped and attacked them.
The victims approached the police who asked them to conduct medical examinations at the hospital and returned with reports to complete the formality for registration of complaints, he said.
However, they did not return to the Bukit line police station, the officer said.
The police themselves were called victims and received a registered complaint on Tuesday, he claimed.
He said two police teams were sent to find villagers accused.
“We also checked CCTV footage places,” Narale said.
On the other hand, one of the victims, a woman, claimed the villagers was annoyed because they were wearing shorts.
“When attacking us, they shouted ‘shorts are not permitted and this is not the time to roam around’.
Some villagers even tried to attract women’s shorts in the group,” he said.
“We begged mercy, but they did not listen …
they attacked us and persecuted the women,” he thought.
A senior officer at the Bukit line police station said the movement of people within 1 km of a picnic place in the Thane District had been banned by collectors given the sinking incident and also because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Therefore, villagers will prevent the victims from moving.
But we will definitely check why the couple was beaten,” he said.