India, March 16 -- A protest by residents of Cuffe Parade against the construction of a sea protection bund near Machhimar Nagar turned tense on Sunday after locals of the adjoining Machhimar Colony entered the protest venue and staged a counter-demonstration.

Around 100 residents from across Cuffe Parade had gathered at Bay View Marine Garden around 11am to oppose the dumping of stones and construction of a soil bund along the Machhimar Nagar coastline. The protesters alleged that the activity could pave the way for land reclamation and future encroachments along the seafront.

The demonstration was organised by members of the Cuffe Parade Residents Association (CPRA), who demanded that authorities install tetrapods instead of construct...