Navi Mumbai Holi Riots

The Navi Mumbai Holi riots was a series of violent incidents that took place around Navi Mumbai for about a week beginning the day after Holi (March 14) of 2006. The riots began in the Agri village of Ghansoli, and soon spread to other areas, including Vashi and Koparkhairane. The feuding parties were Ghansoli Agri & Koli locals and mathadi settlers, with pre-existing "native vs. immigrant" political bad blood between the two communities serving as a tinderbox. The police were also criticized for excessive use of force, and thereby allegedly aggravating the situation. Police inexperience and lack of riot/crowd control vehicles and devices, as well as delayed police and special forces deployment also allowed to violence to spread. The rioting resulted in a curfew in many areas, destruction of property including of vehicles, several injuries to persons and three deaths.