After two years of communal conflict, the Ram Navami festival celebration concluded peacefully in Malwani area of Mumbai. Ram Navami was celebrated in Mumbai and across the country on Wednesday. Mumbai Police had deployed a large number of personnel, ensuring no untoward incidents take place during the celebrations, an official said. According to police sources, approximately 2000-3000 individuals, including a significant presence of youth, children, and women, participated in the rally from Mahada to Malvani Gate No. 1, a turnout notably lower than the past two years. The rally was closely monitored by a substantial deployment of police personnel, including senior officers from the North Region, especially Additional Commissioner Rajeev Jain and DCPs. Credit also goes to the traffic department for their excellent management during the event; the police were monitoring the procession through drone cameras and mobile vans.
17 April,2024 10:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanMumbai, on Tuesday, recorded a maximum temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest day in the metropolis in April since 2009, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, on April 16, the Santacruz-based observatory (representative of Mumbai's suburbs) recorded a maximum temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius, an IMD official said. The mercury reading at the Colaba observatory (representative of south Mumbai) was 35.2 degrees Celsius. "Our Santacruz-based observatory yesterday (Tuesday) recorded 39.7 degrees Celsius temperature, which was the highest temperature in the last 14 years (in April)," said Sushma Nair, a scientist at IMD Mumbai, as per the PTI. The city had clocked a maximum temperature of 40.6 degrees Celsius on April 2, 2009, she informed. Colaba and Santacruz observatories had recorded 37.9 degrees Celsius and 34.7 degrees Celsius maximum temperatures, respectively, on Monday. On Wednesday, Mumbaikars got some relief from soaring temperatures. Colaba and Santacruz observatories recorded maximum temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius and 34.7 degrees Celsius, respectively. IMD officials said they were expecting a moderate drop in the maximum temperature in Mumbai on Wednesday, but the actual fall was steep and sudden. "We were expecting a 2-3 degrees Celsius fall in the temperature, but actually it dropped by 4-5 degrees Celsius," Sushma Nair said, as per the PTI. Though there was a drop in temperatures, the increased humidity made Mumbaikars sweat profusely. Colaba and Santacruz observatories recorded 78 per cent and 71 per cent relative humidity, respectively. For the last two days (Monday and Tuesday), the IMD had issued a heatwave warning for Mumbai and neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts. On both days, some parts of Thane and Raigad district experienced temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, though the mercury didn't cross that mark in the financial capital. Mumbai had witnessed severe hot weather on Monday amid the India Meteorological Department's warning of a heatwave. The IMD officials had earlier said that the maximum temperature in the three districts could go up to 38 degrees Celsius The civic administration in Mumbai has already issued guidelines for people to tackle the heatwave this summer season. (with PTI inputs)
17 April,2024 10:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUnseasonal rains in Maharashtra's Marathwada area have claimed the lives of 10 people and 150 animals in the week starting April 9, according to a state revenue department report. The eight impacted districts are Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv, and Hingoli. The rains, which began on April 9, have caused substantial devastation, including the deaths of humans and animals, as well as damage to over 450 houses in 481 villages throughout the region, a report in PTI stated. According to the report, crop damage has also been significant, affecting around 5,256.86 hectares of land belonging to 9,127 farmers. According to the data, Beed district suffered the most agricultural losses, totalling 1,693.80 hectares. Tragically, the rains took the lives of ten people, with Beed district reporting the most deaths (three), followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, and Latur districts, each with two deaths, and Hingoli district with one, the report further added. Furthermore, 152 animals, including 117 milch animals, died as a result of the inclement weather, compounding an already severe situation for farmers and towns in the region, the PTI report additionally stated. In an earlier PTI report dated April 12, a state government official recounted that Parbhani received the most rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, measuring 33.4 mm, while Latur received 14.3 mm. "Apart from these two districts, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar received 1.6 mm, Jalna got 3.3 mm, Beed 7 mm, Dharashiv 7.9 mm, Nanded 8.9 mm, and Hingoli 7.2 mm," the official told news agency PTI on Friday, Rain was earlier forecast for several locations throughout the state by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). "Light rains with gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely to occur at isolated locations across central Maharashtra districts, Marathwada, and the Vidarbha region," the Regional Meteorological Department had said on X. Previously, in their afternoon alert on April 11, the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) senior official said that "Thunderstorms with lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Nanded, Latur and Dharashiv in next three to four hours."
17 April,2024 04:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 42-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly beat two people outside the Kalyan railway station in Thane district, Maharashtra. According to a Government Railway Police (GRP) official, the conflict began after one of the victims objected to the accused's indecent gestures towards a woman. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, forcing one of the victims to confront the accused after seeing his mistreatment of his friend's wife. The accused allegedly assaulted the victim on the neck with a sharp weapon and made threats, reported PTI. Another person tried to interfere but was also attacked by the accused. Following a complaint submitted by one of the victims, the police apprehended the accused, who lives in Khadvali, Shahapur, in the district, the report added. According to the report, the accused is charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including willingly causing harm, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult to create a breach of peace. He was booked under Sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Meanwhile, in another unrelated incident, former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader Eknath Khadse received a threat call from an unidentified person on Wednesday, according to police officials. According to PTI, the caller threatened Khadse with severe repercussions, and police have launched an investigation into the incident. According to the news agency, Khadse received a threat call on Monday from an unknown number and then approached Muktai Nagar Police in Jalgaon district. Citing the complaint, the officer told PTI that the caller threatened Khadse with the names of gangsters Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel. He also stated that the caller had not yet been tracked. Following Khadse's complaint, a non-cognisable offence was registered against the unnamed individual under the applicable regulations. He stated that an investigation is ongoing on the case.
17 April,2024 03:36 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government on Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that will be granting financial benefits to the family of an Army Major who was killed in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir four years ago. According to the PTI report, the widow of Major Anuj Sood, Aakriti had moved HC seeking monetary benefits for ex-servicemen under 2019 and 2020 government resolutions. Reportedly, Major Sood was martyred on May 2, 2020, when he was rescuing civilian hostages from terrorist hideouts in J&K. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. Per the report, the Maharashtra government had initially said Sood's family was not eligible for the benefit and allowance as the resolutions were only for those born in Maharashtra or have lived in the state continuously for 15 years. A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla had previously told the government to consider her case as an exceptional one and extend benefits. Reportedly, the court had told the government is they could not do so, they would pass appropriate orders. On Wednesday, Advocate General Birendra Saraf told the bench that the government has decided to extend benefits to the Sood family as a special case and will be giving them a sum of Rs 1 crore (Rs 60 lakh to Aakriti and Rs 40 lakh to Sood's father) and also Rs 9000 monthly payment to Aakriti, reported PTI. According to the reportedly, the bench lauded the government's decision and said the government gave respect to a difficult situation. "These are real human agonies. Always there is an exception...It is a special case. We highly appreciate the stand taken by the chief minister and the state government in considering the petitioner's case as a special case and granting benefits," the court said. According to the report, the bench disposed of the petition noting the amount shall be disbursed as expeditiously as possible. Reportedly, Aakriti Sood, in her plea, challenged the communication she received from the government on August 26, 2020, denying benefits. She said that the resolution had said that Sood was neither born in Maharashtra nor residing in the state for the last 15 years. According to the report, the plea contended that the family has been residing in Maharashtra for the last 15 years as wished by her late husband. She added that Sood always intended to reside in Maharashtra's Pune.
17 April,2024 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Fire Brigade on Wednesday held the finals of the Annual Fire Drill Competition 2024 which is organised for the firefighters in a bid to encourage and train the officials. As many as 45 teams of firefighters of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's MFB participated in the exercise held at the agency's headquarters in the city. Meanwhile, the Chief Fire Officer, RN Ambulgekar encouraged all fire officials. The competition was organised for better coordination, strength and building team spirit among the fire officers and jawans, said officials. The officers were tasked with motor drill-ladder drill and fire trailer pump drill. Motor drill-ladder drill comprises of fire crew completing a task within 45 seconds wherein the participant has to open the water pump, extinguish the fire and pack the roller back. In the fire trailer pump drill competition the fire crew has to work in teams, open the ladder to the third floor and rescue the dummy person who is stuck in fire. The fire officer has to reach through a ladder to extinguish the fire and rescue the person. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Amit Saini said, "Mumbai Fire Brigade is always prepared to meet the challenges of fire safety and evacuation." Mumbai Fire Brigade concludes their annual fire drill competition Via: @ShirishVaktania #Mumbai #FireBrigade #News #NewsUpdates https://t.co/LjrC6yNTEt pic.twitter.com/66l9G7eCni — Mid Day (@mid_day) April 17, 2024 Saini further stated that it is crucial to maintain coordination during an actual incident. He emphasized that in a metropolis like Mumbai, every moment counts during an incident, and better coordination between man and machine leads to a successful campaign. AMC Saini also mentioned that the BMC would continue to support the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Gaikwad praised the Mumbai Fire Brigade for their commendable preparedness and acknowledged that the municipal administration is continuously working to solve the fire brigade's problems. The BMC has also acknowledged the Mumbai Fire Brigade's extensive work in introducing new fire prevention and protection technologies, such as Quick-response vehicles, IoT-based systems, and fire evacuation lifts. Demonstration Contest Winners: Fire Pump Drill Competition ➡ First Number - Kandivali Fire Station ➡ Second place - Byculla Fire Station ➡ Third Number - Kanderpada Fire Station Triple Extension Ladder Motor Pump Drill Competition ➡ First Number - Borivali Fire Station ➡ Second place - Byculla Fire Station ➡ Third Number - Fort Fire Station The best team ➡ Borivali Fire Station The best fire extinguisher ➡ Mr Vitthal Sawant, Machinist
17 April,2024 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaFormer Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader Eknath Khadse received a threat call from an unidentified person, police officials said on Wednesday. As per a report by PTI, the caller threatened Khadse with dire consequences and the cops have begun an investigating the case. The report by the news agency stated that Khadse had received the threat call on Monday from an unknown number after which he approached Muktai Nagar Police in Jalgaon district. The official, citing the complaint, told PTI that the caller mentioned the names of the gangsters Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel while threatening Khadse. He added that the caller has not been traced yet. Following Khadse's complaint, a non-cognisable offence was registered under the relevant provisions against the unidentified person. He said that a probe is on into the case. Eknath Khadse to join BJP Veteran leader Eknath Khadse, who is presently in the NCP (SP), announced earlier this month that he would be returning to his parent political party--BJP--soon. He announced on Saturday that he will rejoin his parent party in New Delhi next week, more than three years after he left the BJP after conflict with the state leadership and joined the unified NCP led by Sharad Pawar. Due to a land deal dispute, Khadse was forced to leave his position as a minister in the former Devendra Fadnavis cabinet in 2016 and later due to certain happenings, he left the party. Once one of the tallest leaders of the Maharashtra branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Khadse was cast aside for nearly five years till Sharad Pawar brought him back to life in the NCP (undivided) in 2020. "I have discussed all issues I had with the state with BJP top leadership and decided to return," Khadse told PTI after meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
17 April,2024 01:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 campaign for the Nagpur seat comes to an end, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has released his manifesto, expressing thanks for the people's support. Gadkari emphasised that the affection he receives is the outcome of his efforts and is the actual wealth he values. "The love I have received from people is for the work I have done. On the day of Eid, I went to Mominpura to extend my wishes. I went there at 12 in the night and within 5-10 minutes, 3000 to 4000 people came... People's love is my wealth," Gadkari was quoted as saying in an ANI report. In a veiled reference to the Congress, Gadkari highlighted an opposition opponent who is campaigning against him, stressing that he helped to keep the rival out of legal problems. Despite this, Gadkari voiced no concern about the opposition's attempts, reported ANI. "A rival from Congress campaigning against me was about to go to jail. I saved him. Now, he is leading the campaign against me...I have no problem," the Union Minister further said per the news agency. According to the report, during the manifesto announcement event in Nagpur ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Gadkari highlighted the city's tourism potential, particularly as a tiger conservation hub. He detailed several development plans, including improving tourist destinations such as Ambhora and guaranteeing a reliable water supply system to meet future demands. He said, "There is a big potential in tourism. People come here for Tigers... It is a Tiger capital. And for that, we have developed Ambhora... We made a cable bridge in Ambhora... There is a light and sound show for around 400 people. There is a facility for water sports and adventure sports... We are making Ambhora very beautiful... A lot of work is being done." Gadkari also highlighted his vision for Nagpur's growth, which includes making it pollution-free and transforming it into a green metropolis. His strategy includes promoting tourism, growing the IT industry, and prioritising environmental sustainability, the report added. "The all-round development of Nagpur Vidarbha has been the initial resolution of my political life. I will be working on tourism, IT industry, development of MIHAN... and most importantly, to make Nagpur city free from air and noise pollution and try to make it a green city," Gadkari said. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, and the voting for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in the state will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20.
17 April,2024 01:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPolice have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals from Vasai in Maharashtra's Palghar district for staying in the country without valid documents, an official said, reported new agency PTI. The anti-human trafficking cell of the police picked up the two Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, from Pragati Nagar locality of Nalasopara in Vasai on Monday evening based on a tip-off, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Madan Ballal told PTI. The accused were identified as Aakash Arif Khan (26) and Laboni Poridin Mandal (22). They did not have any documents for travel or stay in India, he said, reported PTI. During their interrogation, the duo revealed that they were doing menial jobs in the locality for livelihood, reported PTI. An FIR under the the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, was registered at the Tulinj police station against them on Tuesday, the official said. Earlier last month, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended five Bangladeshi nationals from Navi Mumbai for residing in the country without valid documents, according to officials. The arrested persons named Aahat Jamal Sheikh (22), Rebul Samad Sheikh (40), Ronney Soriful Khan, aged 25, Julu Billal Sharif aged 28 and Mohammad Munir Mohammad Siraj Mulla (49) were working as masons in Navi Mumbai. They are from two districts in Bangladesh, a police official told PTI. A police official said that the ATS was acting on a tip-off. A PTI report quoted him saying, "Acting on a tip-off, the ATS led the operation and arrested five Bangladeshis, who were found living in India without valid documents. They were nabbed from Janai Compound and near Shivaji Talao, both in Ghansoli." The accused were arrested under the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Passport (Entry into India) Rules of 1950 in response to a complaint filed by an ATS police sub-inspector. The Rabale police in Navi Mumbai have filed a First Information Report (FIR) and detained the suspects for further investigation. "They were arrested under provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, following a complaint lodged by a police sub-inspector attached to the ATS. The Rabale police in Navi Mumbai registered an FIR and took the individuals into custody," the official said per news agency PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
17 April,2024 12:41 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentThe Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked political parties to furnish details of aircraft and helicopters being used for campaigning, including their origin and destination and details of people ferried in them, reported news agency PTI. A letter by Tejas Samel, deputy election officer of Mumbai Suburban district, dated April 12, said such information has to be furnished three days before the journey to the district election office, but that duration has now been reduced to 24 hours, reported PTI. "We are sending a revised letter on April 17. Instead of three days, they have to inform us 24 hours in advance," Samel told PTI on Tuesday night. The details should also include the make of the aircraft/helicopter and people travelling in them. The letter said this information has to be furnished under the Model Code of Conduct in force for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, which has to be sent to the ECI, reported PTI. Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Maharashtra, which has 48 seats, will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20. Meanwhile, a top officer on Tuesday said that more than 4,100 police personnel, along with four companies of Central Armed Forces, and 1,837 home guards, will be deployed at 2,765 polling booths across Nagpur city on April 19 when votes will be cast for the Lok Sabha constituency, reported PTI. Union minister and sitting BJP MP Nitin Gadkari is in the fray from this constituency against Congress MLA Vikas Thakre. The RSS headquarters is situated in Nagpur city, the second capital of Maharashtra. "4,161 policemen, four companies of Central Armed Forces, and 1,837 home guards will be assigned to guard 2,765 polling booths across Nagpur city," city police commissioner Ravinder Singal told reporters. He said city police have seized various drugs, 3,000 litres of liquor, and cash collectively amounting to Rs 85 lakh since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect on March 16, reported PTI. Police have also seized eight firearms, while preventive action has been taken against 1,625 individuals, he added. A total of five seats, including Nagpur, Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), Bhandara-Gondiya, Chandrapur, and Ramtek (SC) in the east Vidarbha region will vote in the first phase of general elections in Maharashtra. Separately, Nagpur (Rural) Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar said 151 officers, 2,676 police personnel, and 1,574 home guards will be deployed in the district which has 1,745 polling booths, including 52 critical ones, reported PTI. Additionally, three companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be stationed at sensitive polling stations. Congress' Shyam Kumar Barve and Shiv Sena leader Raju Parwe are the main candidates in Ramtek. He said police seized liquor valued at Rs 37 lakh and filed 569 cases against 994 individuals under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act since the poll code came into effect. Additionally, 14 cases were filed under the Arms Act, resulting in the seizure of 17 weapons, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
17 April,2024 12:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora has spoken out against the Congress' economic strategy arguing that it is divisive and harmful to India's development. Deora, who quit the Congress in January to join the Shiv Sena, criticised the party's tilt towards leftist policies in an interview with PTI. He said that the party emphasised failed communist and socialist concepts instead of encouraging innovation and investment. Deora, in this interview further underlined the importance of Congress's 1991 economic changes, which boosted corporate growth and wealth creation. However, he criticised the party's present attitude of using name-calling and criticising wealth producers. "It is a symptom of the fact that the Congress is moving away from its own legacy," Deora told PTI. He was quoted in the report saying, "The Congress had an economic agenda to take India forward. Today, I find the Congress has an economic agenda which is divisive, and seeks to derail India's economic growth trajectory, when India is faced with an interesting and exciting tailwind where much of the world wants to diverge from China and invest in India." Deora, who was a Union minister in the Manmohan Singh government, said, "We should be taking advantage of that." The Sena leader expressed concern about the squandered opportunity amidst worldwide interest in investment in India and called for policies to capitalise on this momentum. He remarked that many in the Congress, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, may disagree with the party's present economic policy. Milind Deora noted that the Congress, led by PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, adopted the economic reforms in 1991, but the party has since backed away from them, the PTI report stated. In addition to economic policies, Deora chastised the Congress for its stance on matters such as the repeal of Article 370 and its support for caste politics, which he says contradicts the party's founding values. "Article 370 was a temporary provision in the Constitution, but the Congress veered away from it," Deora told PTI and further said, "The Congress fought against caste politics, but today the party is advocating it." Milind Deora and his late father, Murli Deora, were both Mumbai Congress presidents, providing a unique viewpoint on the party's development.
17 April,2024 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT