All the 28 labourers accused of vandalising the premises of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd's refinery in Mahul-Chembur here yesterday were remanded in a police custody for three days by a local court today.
"We produced the accused in Kurla magistrate's court today and demanded police custody," said Hanumant Kamble, investigating officer.
"Court agreed to give us a three-day remand," he added.
An altercation broke out between a group of labourers -- hired by a private contractor -- and Central Industrial Security Force personnels at the refinery yesterday, following which the labourers allegedly vandalised the premises.
RCF police have slapped the charges under IPC section 147 (rioting), 143 (unlawful assembly) and 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) on them.
However, Vinod Singh, a human rights activist, blamed the police for "unprofessional approach".
Police should go through the CCTV footage and find out what provoked the labourers, he said.
