The saga over protests against tree felling at Aarey colony for a Metro car shed has now taken a new turn. Aarey police believes that 29 protestors who allegedly assaulted a constable and were arrested on Friday are innocent. Police suspect the real culprits are from the Filter Pada area of Aarey. Police also said the group of people who assaulted a constable and broke the barricades were drunk and fled from the spot after the incident. Investigating Police Inspector Vinod Patil of Aarey police station said, "We are suspecting that there is involvement of a Filter Pada gang in a constable assault case. Even my uniform tore up in this incident. We are investigating the matter." The incident occurred on October 4 between 10.30 and 11.00 pm at the proposed construction site of a carshed for Metro 3 at Picnic point at Goregaon's Aarey Colony. Police said around 200 protestors gathered here tried to cross over the barricades during which a constable was injured by a group of five to six individuals. Police didn't detain any protestor then but the arrests began at 3.00 am. Most of the tribals were arrested while collecting their bikes from the spot at 3.45 am. WHAT COPS SAY Two different groups were protesting at Aarey outside the barricades placed near the construction site. One group was from the Filter Pada area of Aarey and another group were of activists who frequently protest to save nature The members of the Filter Pada group were drunk and were encouraging other protestors to spoil the atmosphere of the area. They also forcefully tried to cross over the barricades and also broke many under the influence of alcohol Speaking to DNA, an Aarey police officer said, "Two different groups were protesting at Aarey outside the barricades placed near the construction site. One group was from the Filter Pada area of Aarey and another group were of tribals and local activists who are always present in any protest to save nature. The Filter Pada group people were drunk and they were encouraging another protestor to spoil the atmosphere of the area. They also forcefully tried to cross over the barricades and also broke many under the influence of alcohol." Meanwhile, families of those arrested are demanding police to drop their charges. Parents of Swapnil Pawar, one of the arrested protestor at Aarey Parents of Swapnil Pawar, one of the arrested protestor, said, "My child had gone only for protest and they were silently and peacefully protesting outside Aarey. He was arrested at 3.45 am while returning back to Picnic point to take his bike. Police identified him because he is always present in every protest. Police should arrest the real accused and drop all charges on my son. My son's career is spoiled after the incident." DNA also found a list of the other tribals who were arrested at 3.45 am from the picnic point who had gone to collect their bikes. 29 people including 23 men and six women were arrested, all of whom were released on Sunday for a bail bond of Rs 7,000 and a condition to be present at the police station for questioning.

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