Residents allege mobile snatching and push-and-shove; drunkards’ gathering has made daily commute a nightmare.

Tense Saturday Night

Indore’s Khajrana area witnessed a tense confrontation late Saturday evening after women from a nearby apartment complex tried to film what they claim is an illegal enclosure attached to a liquor shop. The situation escalated quickly, with the women alleging that their mobile phones were snatched and they were pushed around by individuals linked to the enclosure.

The incident took place near Bengali Square, where the liquor shop operates. According to residents, the unauthorised enclosure has been a source of persistent trouble for families living in Kishkindha Apartment, a building housing around 24 households.

Illegal Enclosure at Bengali Square

The women say the enclosure is being run illegally alongside the licensed liquor outlet. When they attempted to record video evidence of the encroachment and the crowd of drinkers spilling onto the road, shop staff and others present allegedly turned hostile.

“The moment we started filming, one of them snatched Kavita Rokade’s phone. Then there was pushing and shoving,” said a resident who was part of the group. The women have accused the staff of physically assaulting them, though no serious injuries have been reported.

Residents Allege Harassment

Locals say the problem is not new. The gathering of drunkards outside the shop, often spilling into the enclosure, has made it difficult for residents – especially women – to move freely. Parking of vehicles on the road and loud, unruly behaviour are routine complaints.

Some residents also claimed that incidents of eve-teasing have been reported from the same spot in the past. “We are scared to step out in the evenings. The crowd outside the shop only gets bigger after sunset,” another apartment dweller said.

Phone Snatched, Pushed

According to initial accounts, when Kavita Rokade and other women reached the enclosure around 8:30 pm, they were met with resistance. The phone snatching and brief scuffle followed. The women refused to back down, and the situation soon turned into a heated argument, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Local authorities confirmed that a call about the altercation was received at Khajrana police station around 9 pm. A team was dispatched immediately.

Police Reaches Spot

Officials from Khajrana police station said that when they arrived, both sides were engaged in a loud verbal dispute. The police separated the groups, listened to the complaints, and pacified the women. No formal FIR had been registered by late night, but officers assured that the situation was under control and that they would look into the matter of the illegal enclosure.

“We have noted the complaints. Legal action will be taken if the encroachment is found to be unauthorised,” a police officer present at the scene said.

Previous Complaints to Collector

Residents said this was not the first time they have raised the issue. Multiple complaints have already been submitted to the Indore collector’s office, demanding the removal of the liquor shop or at least the closure of the illegal enclosure. They claim that the encroachment has effectively narrowed the road and created a law-and-order problem in the area.

“We have been asking for action for months. Nothing has changed,” a resident said.

Ongoing Ordeal

As of Sunday morning, the illegal enclosure remained in place, and the liquor shop was operating as usual. The women of Kishkindha Apartment said they will continue to pursue the matter with higher authorities. Meanwhile, police said they would conduct a spot inspection and submit a report to senior officials in the coming days.