Chronology of events

2:30 pm: Some protestors halt traffic outside Azad Maidan on the stretch leading to the Metro Cinema junction. Again,policemen ask protesters to move away from the area. Policemen ask those congregated on the roads to head inside,but their directions go unheeded.

2:55 pm: As speeches continue at the venue,one speaker says media intentionally blacked out recent events in Assam. About 30 miscreants outside the venue begin pelting stones at ABP News’ Outdoor Broadcasting van outside the venue. A scuffle ensues between these 30-odd men and the police. Protesters pelt stones at police. Senior police officers retaliate with a mild lathicharge. Police ask protestors to move into Azad Maidan,but in vain unsuccessful.

3.00 pm: Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) Krishna Prakash makes a speech after the speech about alleged media blackout of the Assam riots. Prakash asks the crowd to ensure that law and order prevails. The crowd is still restive,some start moving towards the exit.

3:10 pm: Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik reaches the spot. Senior police officers brief him on the situation. Patnaik takes a look at security arrangements and goes inside the venue. He takes the stage and addresses the crowd. He says he was deputy commissioner of police in Bandra,Mumbai,in 1992-1993 and that riots are a terrible thing. He requests the crowd to maintain law and order.

3:15 pm: Patnaik’s instructions go unheeded and the situation takes a turn for the worse. A monb of around 60 torch OB vans and damage police vans. The police resort to a lathi-charge. Some of the protestors begin attacking police personnel. Police retaliate with another round of lathicharge.

4:00 pm: Police officers continue to monitor the situation.

5:30 pm: The situation brought under control. Senior officers walk outside the venue. A case of rioting registered and the Mumbai Police Crime Branch asked to probe.