The Mumbai Crime Branch officials said on Wednesday that the individuals involved in the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence "intended to just scare him and not murder him," reported news agency ANI. "The accused conducted a 'recce' of Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel. They intended to just scare him, not murder him. The statements of both families have been recorded in Bihar. Around 7 people have been called from Haryana and other states for questioning, which is ongoing," a Mumbai Crime Branch official told ANI. Salman Khan firing case: Mumbai Crime Branch to record Salman Khan's statement Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the Mumbai Crime Branch will record Salman Khan's statement as a witness in the case related to the firing outside his Bandra residence, reported ANI. Upon the arrival of Mumbai Police officials at Salman Khan's house following the incident, the actor reportedly expressed anger and concern about his family's security. He also raised questions about the security provided by Mumbai Police, saying that such an incident took place despite the heavy deployment of security personnel at his place, sources said, reported ANI. Salman Khan firing case: Assailants parked a motorcycle approximately 100 metres away Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch disclosed that the perpetrators had conducted a reconnaissance of the actor's residence before carrying out the attack. Moments before the shooting, the assailants parked a motorcycle approximately 100 metres away from Salman Khan's residence at Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, reported ANI. After confirming the absence of individuals outside Khan's house, the shooters approached the premises on the motorcycle and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Salman Khan firing case: Mumbai Police files case against Anmol Bishnoi In another development, the Mumbai Police filed a case against Anmol Bishnoi in connection with the firing incident, citing his use of threatening language on Facebook. Anmol Bishnoi, who is the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, wrote about the firing incident on Facebook and used threatening language, police said. Furthermore, two suspects were arrested by the Kachchh police and handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for investigation. Subsequently, Mumbai's Killa Court remanded the two accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25, following a medical examination, reported ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
18 April,2024 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn official said the Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person in connection with a deepfake video of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan in which he is purportedly seen promoting a political party, reported news agency PTI. Aamir Khan deepfake video: FIR filed at Khar police station The FIR was filed on Wednesday at the Khar police station following a complaint by Amir Khan's office under relevant Indian Penal Code sections, including 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Information Technology Act, the official said, reported PTI. In the purported 27-second clip, which seems to have been edited using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Khan can be seen talking about staying away from rhetoric (jumla), reported PTI. Aamir Khan deepfake video: Video shows Aamir Khan promoting a particular political party The deepfake video shows the actor purportedly in a scene from a decade-old episode of his television show, 'Satyamev Jayate'. A spokesperson for Khan on Tuesday said while the actor in the past raised electoral awareness through Election Commission campaigns, he never promoted any political party, reported PTI. "We want to clarify that Mr Aamir Khan has never endorsed any political party throughout his 35-year career. He has dedicated his efforts to raising awareness through Election Commission public awareness campaigns for many past elections," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We are alarmed by the recent viral video alleging that Aamir Khan is promoting a particular political party. He would like to clarify that this is a fake video and totally untrue. He has reported the matter to various authorities related to this issue, including filing an FIR with the Cyber Crime Cell of the Mumbai Police," the statement said. The "Laal Singh Chaddha" actor has also appealed to people to come out and vote and be an active part of the electoral process, his spokesperson added, reported PTI. Aamir Khan deepfake video: Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. More than 95 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise on April 19 in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra covering five constituencies, including some Naxal-hit areas, where campaigning ended on Wednesday evening. Polling will be held in the constituencies of Nagpur, Ramtek, Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli-Chimur, all located in eastern-most parts of the state. (With inputs from PTI)
18 April,2024 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe second phase of Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for April 26, promises to be a challenging battle, particularly for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, as he strives to maintain unity within the Sena faction under his leadership following the necessity to pick and drop candidates as per the BJP’s directives. Under pressure from ally, the BJP, the Sena replaced their sitting five-time MP Bhavana Gawali despite her eleventh-hour attempts to retain the ticket. In a surprising move, the Sena then picked Rajashri Patil, the wife of Hemant Patil, the sitting MP from Hingoli for the seat replacing Gawali. Patil, a well-known businessperson and philanthropist, steps into a constituency formerly led by another leader, facing criticism and accusations of being an outsider. However, in an interview with mid-day, she countered these remarks, stating that she is not unfamiliar with the constituency, as Yavatmal is her maternal home, and she completed her early education there. She says she is a daughter of Yavatmal, and grew up here. What do you consider as significant issues that you would prioritise in the constituency?There is a lot to be done in this region to shed the tag of being backward and underdeveloped. My priorities include creating employment opportunities for youth and women, establishing industries based on local agricultural produce like cotton, soyabean, and toor, and revitalising the deteriorating MIDC belts. Talukas lacking MIDC infrastructure will receive priority for their establishments to generate local employment. Additionally, improving and constructing roads, ensuring water for irrigation and other purposes, and increasing the number of schools are crucial. Although Yavatmal has been approved for a Kendriya Vidyalaya, the lack of proper infrastructure remains a concern. Your candidacy from Yavatmal-Washim seat was a last-minute and unexpected one. What is the response you have been getting from people on the ground?Despite the unexpected nature of my candidacy, I’ve been heartened by the positive response from the people during my campaign visits. They see me as one of their own, given my longstanding ties to the region. Yavatmal has been my maternal home for over 26 years, where I spent my childhood and received my early education. I’ve been actively involved in various educational and social activities here, and many locals recognise my work. For instance, I spearheaded efforts to rejuvenate the Pus River in Pusad. Your rival has labelled you an outsider, calling you a “bahercha product”...The people I’ve met during my campaign regard me as a familiar face, not an outsider, thanks to my extensive involvement in social work. I pay little heed to such criticism from rivals who seem to lack substantive issues to discuss. Elections should focus on developmental agendas, not trivial matters. Labeling someone, especially a woman, as a “product” is not only disrespectful but also reflects a narrow mindset. It’s an insult not just to me but to all women who transition to their marital homes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders in the state are confident of securing victory in all 10 seats in Vidarbha. What do you think?One of the voices in the “400 paar” call will undoubtedly be from the Yavatmal-Washim constituency. We are definitely going to win all 10 seats in Vidarbha. Despite over seven decades since the independence the real development of the country has rocketed only during the last ten years. So people will want to see Modi government back.
18 April,2024 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghIn an attempt to shore up its ranks and have a strong contender to take on leaders from the Eknath Shinde camp in Yavatmal-Washim, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had inducted and fielded former partyman-turned-rebel Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh. After assuming the role of Digras taluka chief as a Shiv Sena member in 1998, he ascended to the position of Shiv Sena’s district chief alongside Sanjay Rathod.In the 1999 Assembly elections, he broke away from the party and contested independently, securing a seat as an MLA. Serving from 1999 to 2004, Deshmukh represented the Digras Assembly seat. During his tenure, from 2002 to 2004, he held the portfolio of minister of state, overseeing sports and mines. Deshmukh paid tribute to the late Vasantrao Naik at his memorial at Gahuli village in Pusad, Yavatmal on Tuesday. Pics/Satej Shinde Despite setbacks and losses in elections thereafter, Deshmukh persisted. In the 2019 Assembly elections, he once again challenged Sanjay Rathod. Despite Rathod’s victory, Deshmukh garnered over 75,000 votes, demonstrating significant support for his candidacy. Following the Shinde rebellion in 2022, Deshmukh joined Uddhav Thackeray’s faction. He has now emerged as one of the pivotal candidates representing Shiv Sena (UBT) and INDIA in Vidarbha. In an interview with mid-day, he expressed confidence about victory, asserting that he wouldn’t need to exert significant efforts to defeat ‘gaddars’ [traitors]. The Yavatmal-Washim constituency has consistently elected the same MP for the past five terms. How do you assess the region’s development over the past two decades?Over the past 20-25 years, with the incumbent MP serving for such a prolonged period and the BJP holding power at the Centre for a decade, the development narrative in Yavatmal-Washim remains bleak. The completion of crucial projects, such as the railway line, has been sluggish, with only 34 kilometres completed in the past decade. This pace of development starkly contradicts the grand promises made by the BJP, undermining their claims of substantial progress under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. What do you consider to be the significant issues you would prioritise?If entrusted with the responsibility by the electorate, my foremost priority would be to address the pressing need for employment opportunities for our youth and to resolve the challenges faced by our farmers, ensuring fair prices for their produce. I am also committed to upholding the principles of our constitution and advocating for the rights of marginalised communities. Drawing from my experience as an Independent MLA for two terms and my tenure as a state minister, I possess a deep understanding of legislative frameworks and will leverage this knowledge to raise pertinent issues in Parliament. I will also endeavour to expose the falsehoods and dispel the misleading narratives propagated by the BJP government, presenting a more accurate image to the citizens of our nation. The PM has emphasised in his election campaign how government schemes have purportedly benefited the poor, underprivileged, Dalits and tribals. Have these schemes reached your constituency?The reality is that the government has halted recruitment for government jobs, opting instead to prioritise privatisation and cater to the interests of industrialists and businessmen. There is a pressing need for the government to focus on assisting and safeguarding the common people–the poor, marginalised, farmers, and the unemployed. Unfortunately, I have not observed any of these purported schemes reaching the marginalised communities anywhere in my constituency. BJP has been emphasising development in election campaigns. Will this help them win seats in Vidarbha? What are your thoughts on this?I challenge the BJP to highlight a single project they initiated and completed in Yavatmal-Washim since coming to power under Modi’s leadership. If they can show even one such accomplishment, I’ll gladly carry out whatever punishment they deem fit. Development seems to be confined to Gujarat; Vidarbha in Maharashtra has seen little progress. The election results will demonstrate how the tide has turned against the BJP. Even seats contested by stalwarts like Nitin Gadkari are facing challenges this time. Yavatmal-Washim is set to witness a unique scenario with Shiv Sena pitted against Shiv Sena. How do you foresee this battle unfolding?In my view, the other faction of Shiv Sena is nothing but a group of gaddars. The true Shiv Sena is the one led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray. Balasaheb Thackeray toiled tirelessly, akin to turning blood into water, to unite people and establish this party, naming it Shiv Sena. These traitors have betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy. Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray commands immense respect across religious and caste lines. The people will surely teach these traitors a lesson by not voting for them. Gone are the days when people relied on local leaders or intermediaries to dictate their voting choices. People are more discerning now; they make their own decisions. You have been criticising the rival candidate Rajashree Patil from Shinde Sena, referring to her as a ‘Baher cha [outside] product’ in your campaigns. Don’t you think this is offensive?Absolutely not, but what the BJP and Shinde’s camp have done is more offensive to the people. The disregard for local representation is evident in their choice to field an outsider. This decision undermines the trust of nearly 19.50 lakh voters and belittles the importance of native candidates. This outsider was a rejected candidate from Hingoli, and they have gotten a rejected candidate here. The arrogant belief of the BJP that they can field anyone and still win is soon to be shattered by the voters, who will reject their overconfidence and arrogance at the polls. Do you think if your rival candidate was sitting MP Bhavana Gawali, the fight would have been a little tougher?Regardless of who my rival would have been, it seems the people have already made up their minds. After witnessing years of governance and slow development, coupled with the fact that this rival is an outsider, I believe victory is out of their reach.
18 April,2024 07:15 AM IST | Yavatmal | Dipti SinghMore than four weeks after a Dadar- based doctor died by suicide by jumping from the Navi Mumbai end of the Atal Setu, the police are still unable to trace her remains. The police have sought the assistance of local fishermen and the fire brigade but have had no luck to date. However, this is not an isolated case, with five bodies having disappeared in the marshy lands of Mumbai in last seven years. In the recent case, Dr Kinjal Shah, 43, jumped off the Atal Setu on March 18. “We are making relentless efforts but are yet to recover her remains. Several teams have been formed by the Navi Mumbai police, the coastal police and private entities but these efforts have not yielded any results so far,” said Rajendra Kote Patil, senior inspector, Nhava Sheva police. Took a taxi from Dadar to Atal Setu According to the police, the Bhoiwada cops had lodged a missing complaint after Shah’s father approached them. “The Bhoiwada police checked CCTV footage which showed that she left the house at 1.30 pm on March 18. Around 1.45 pm, she boarded a taxi from the Shindewadi area in Dadar and went towards Atal Setu. Around 14 km away from the Navi Mumbai end on the bridge, she stopped the taxi saying she wanted to click pictures. She got down and she jumped into the sea. The taxi driver then approached the police,” said Subhash Borate, senior inspector Bhoiwada police station. According to the police, the spot where Shah allegedly jumped off is an area with mangroves and hence it's causing a hindrance in recovering the body. “We have less hopes of recovering the body and it is likely that we would only find her skeletal remains,” said a police officer. Not an isolated incident In 2021, Mintu Singh, a lifeguard by profession, killed MMBS student Swadichcha Sane and allegedly dumped her body in the Bandra Bandstand area. The Mumbai police carried out four attempts to recover her body but failed to do so. “Being a lifeguard, Singh had full knowledge of the sea and we suspect that he deliberately dumped the body at a spot where it couldn't be recovered,” said a police officer. The police suspect Singh killed Sane as she refused to get intimate with him. Dr Kinjal Shah; Tarannum Kamruddin Ansari fell into the sea in 2016 while taking selfies; Kirti Vyas was killed by her co-workers in 2018; API Ashwini Bindre was murdered in 2016 and her body was dumped into the Vasai Creek In 2018, Kirti Vyas, 28, was allegedly killed and her body was dumped in a drain near Wadala. The incident came to light when the police arrested Vyas’ co-workers Siddhesh Tamhankar and Khushi Sahjwani after a thorough investigation. The duo confessed that they dumped her body in a drain along Wadala-Mahul Road. The police tried to trace Vyas’ body in Mumbai and Alibaug but failed to do so. According to the police, Vyas had warned Tamhankar to improve his performance at work or face termination, after which he and Sahjwani murdered the accountant. Tarannum Kamruddin Ansari, 18, a Govandi resident, had fallen into the sea while taking selfies with her friends at Bandstand in Bandra in 2016. The cops launched a search operation to recover her body but failed to do so. According to the police, Mintu Singh confessed to dumping Sane’s body at the same spot where Ansari had drowned. In 2016 the Navi Mumbai cops launched an operation to recover the body of API Ashwini Bindre who was allegedly murdered by inspector Abhay Kurundhakar, his driver Kundan Bhandari and friends Rajesh Patil and Mahesh Palnikar. According to the police, her body had been dumped into the Vasai Creek. In 2018 they tried to recover the trunk containing Bindre’s body parts from the creek. A team of nine divers were involved in the search but they couldn’t find anything after a 3-hour-long operation. According to the police, Kurundhakar had killed Bindre, who he was allegedly having an affair with, after she demanded that he marry her. Mar 18Day Dr Kinjal Shah died by suicide
18 April,2024 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheOn Tuesday, Patanjali Ayurved co-founder ‘Baba’ Ramdev was once again in the Supreme Court seeking forgiveness for misleading advertisements. The court asked him and his aide Acharya Balkrishna to issue a public apology in the case, adding that it would not let them ‘off the hook’. The bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah gave Ramdev and Balkrishna a week to prove they were remorseful of their actions. In light of the developments, mid-day reached out to two doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), former IMA vice president Dr Jayesh Lele and former IMA president Dr Ranjan Sharma. Why IMA approached SC “When we were fighting a war against COVID-19, Ramdev started making fun of scientific medicine. When we were mourning the death of our 800-odd colleagues, he kept saying the doctors who could not save themselves cannot save the public,” recalled Dr Sharma. Soon, there was the launch of Coronil, which Patanjali falsely marketed as a cure for COVID-19, said Dr Lele. “He claimed at the time that WHO had certified their medicine. Subsequently, the RTI query I filed in consultation with other IMA members with the Aayush ministry denied this claim,” he said. Both the doctors said there were attempts to first resolve matters through means like an FIR and had even called for intervention from various government bodies but there was almost no deterring action. ‘He had political patronage’ “There were a number of notices that went to Ramdev from a number of government bodies but he used to say nobody can do anything to him,” Dr Sharma said. He added, “It was pure political patronage. There is no state or Central jurisdiction where he has not been given land. These clearances do not come in a day.” Misleading health claims Public health services are proving inadequate medicines which allow those like Ramdev to flourish, Dr Sharma said. “There are serious health gaps which need to be addressed,” he said. Dr Lele, meanwhile, added that the government and the media play a role in propagation of products that are marketed as medicine. “We have had patients who bought into such advertisements and started consuming the products and only after complications did they visit a hospital,” he said. What comes after this case? The next hearing in the case is on April 23. “The court may provide certain directives. But in the coming days we want an amendment in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, to better cater to today’s day and age,” Dr Lele said. On the other hand Dr Sharma said Ramdev’s case is “a warning for FMCG companies that make false health claims”. April 23The next date of hearing in the Supreme Court
18 April,2024 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshan KalyanikarIn March 2024, the aviation industry witnessed a substantial increase in the number of affected passengers compared to the same period last year, despite a marginal rise in the total number of passengers flown. According to recent data, the total number of passengers in March 2024 reached 133.67 lakh, marking a mere 2 per cent increase from March 2023’s 130.92 lakh. However, the number of passengers affected by various issues surged dramatically, showing a staggering 50.8 per cent increase in March 2024 as compared to March 2023. The impact of this surge is particularly notable when considering the number of affected passengers. In March 2023, 1,50,829 passengers were affected by various disruptions such as flight cancellations, delays, and denied boarding. In contrast, March 2024 saw a significant rise in the number of affected passengers, reaching a concerning 2,27,487 individuals. A senior DGCA official told mid-day, “It is quite concerning that the number of passengers getting affected has increased at this rate. We have received a total of 730 complaints last month, which is way higher than that compared to March 2023, when there were 347 complaints.” Capt. Mohan Ranganathan, an aviation expert, said, “Passengers are used to a low fare and the fares have increased. If there are delays and cancellations, the refund rules are loaded towards the airlines and not to the passenger’s benefit. All the rules that the ministry and DGCA have formed have several grey areas, the airlines can use and deny repayments or refunds, resulting in an increased amount of tension and conflicts between airlines and passengers. The staff has also become rude off late in some of the airlines. He added on how the airlines are obligated to make sure of the passenger’s interests, stating, “The airline industry is customer oriented but of late it is becoming more like the passenger has no options. Another very important thing is that once a boarding pass is issued to a passenger, it is a contract between the passenger and the airline, wherein it is the airline’s responsibility. In cases of delays and cancellations, the airlines have to take care of all the expenses like arranging for an alternate flight in cases of cancellations and deboarding, along with providing refreshments to the passengers. In such conditions, the regulator is playing into the hands of the airlines The CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) has never been enforced in any such cases. Airlines are the ones controlling the DGCA, which is why no stringent action has been taken.” 2.27lNo of passengers affected in March 2024 Complaints lodged with DGCA in March 2024 1. Alliance Air 592.AIX connect 93. Air India 2224. Akasa Air 255. Indigo 1066. SpiceJet 2627. Vistara 38. Fly Big 39. Indonesia Air 2710. Star Air 1211. Fly91 2
18 April,2024 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariThe Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB) of the customs had apprehended two men found in possession of MDMA (ecstasy) drugs with a market value Rs 4.5 crore. According to police, the accused Salman Khan allegedly worked as a broker and provided rented flats to Nigerians who were involved in a drug syndicate in Nallasopara. The matter had come to light on April 8, when the customs officials received a tip-off, “We received information that a narcotic substance would arrive in a parcel from Belgium. We seized the parcel and found 2,314 grams of MDMA in it. The parcel was supposed to be picked up by Salman Khan,” said an officer. As the officials intended to nab the recipient of the contraband, they replaced the original parcel with a decoy and waited for the recipient to arrive. “No one came to collect the parcel till April 14. Finally, on April 15, a man turned up to collect the parcel. He identified himself as Salman Khan and made a payment of Rs 12,000 to collect the parcel. We apprehended him immediately,” said an officer. During Khan’s questioning customs officials found that he was not acting alone in this drug racket. Khan had confessed that he was only there to pick up the parcel and then hand it over to a Nigerian national,” said an officer. Based on his inputs the police arrested Osita Chibueze from Palghar on April 16. “Khan had allegedly provided a rented flat to Chibueze in Nallasopara. Chibueze came to India as a tourist and was now residing illegally in India. He was previously involved in a similar crime and was in the jail for about 10 months,” said the officer. Salman Khan, 43 and Osita Chibueze had been booked by the police under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act and were produced before the court which remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days.
18 April,2024 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheEven as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked authorities to remove illegal dumping along the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) near Aarey Milk Colony, it has now come to light that the illegal dumping of debris has resumed. The present dumping along the east bound stretch of JVLR just ahead of SEEPZ is not far from the earlier location. Though the earth material is being dumped along the road, much of the material slides into the jurisdiction of Aarey Milk Colony. Dumping in forest and eco-sensitive zones is prohibited as it not only destroys the vegetation but also buries the nutrient rich topsoil that takes many years to form. Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti has alerted the authorities regarding the resumption of the illegal dumping of debris and earth material on JVLR near Aarey Milk Colony. Stalin has marked his email communication to the chief secretary of Maharashtra, principal secretary of the environment department, secretary of the urban development department, municipal commissioner, ward officer of BMC S ward, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and Mumbai police commissioner. Stalin told mid-day that the case against the massive dumping that happened in Aarey on JVLR is being heard by the National Green Tribunal. Stalin had approached the NGT in 2023 over the illegal dumping as Aarey Milk which is part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is considered an eco-sensitive zone. “As you are well aware, the complaint against the horrendous massive dumping that happened in Aarey on Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road is being heard by the National Green Tribunal. The NGT is seized of the matter and has passed orders to remove the previously dumped material from the site.” said Stalin. He has also attached a copy of the NGT order along with the complaint email. “The illegal dumping has resumed as evident from the geo tagged pictures attached along with in this email. The same technique was adopted by dumping on JVLR and then pushing it onto the slope along Mithi River in Aarey. Despite repeated complaints, the dumping went on for over a year and the damage to the environment and forests is seen today. Hundreds of forest trees have been buried at the site and urgent action is needed to restore the site,” Stalin stated in his complaint. Stalin claims that hundreds of shrubs, plants and trees have been buried at the site and urgent action is needed to restore the site. “We call upon you to increase patrolling on the stretch to catch the culprits, prosecute them, seize the vehicles involved and auction them to recover the cost of restoration of the site,” Stalin stated in his letter.
18 April,2024 07:03 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Garden Department has started trimming trees, but workers cannot complete the work as vehicles parked on streets are creating obstacles. This has caused a hurdle, as the word has to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. Jitendra Pardeshi, Garden Superintendent of BMC, said, “In some areas, we are facing problems due to parked vehicles. In certain cases, our staff and contract workers appointed to trim the trees face opposition from the locals. We are appealing to citizens to cooperate with BMC staff as this is necessary pre-monsoon work.” BMC has trimmed 15,821 trees to date Another civic official who is monitoring the work told mid-day, “This kind of issue is normally faced in residential areas where there are many vehicles. We are not able to work because the residents are not ready to remove their vehicles. We even called the traffic police to ask residents to remove their vehicles.” According to the data shared by the Garden Department, there are around 414 trees that need to be fully cut down, out of which BMC has cut down 338 trees to date. While as per the BMC survey, 1,12,728 roadside trees need to be trimmed, out of which the BMC has trimmed 15,821 trees to date. There are around 1,86,246 roadside trees in Mumbai. Every year, BMC trims and cuts down dangerous trees before monsoon. According to the BMC rule, BMC issued 3,690 notices to private societies, complexes, and government organisations to trim certain trees on their premises.
18 April,2024 07:00 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAs the first phase of the election campaign for five seats in the Vidarbha region wrapped up on Wednesday, it’s evident that the movement for Vidarbha statehood has largely faded into the background. This apparent oversight or side-lining of the century-old Vidarbha movement during this election has dismayed many who remain committed to the cause. Spread across 11 districts, the Vidarbha region has 10 Lok Sabha seats and has almost 20 per cent of Maharashtra's population. While Nagpur, Chandrapur, Ramtek (SC), Bhandara-Gondiya, and Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) will go to polls in Phase-1 on April 19, the remaining five, Amravati (SC), Yavatmal-Washim, Wardha, Buldhana, and Akola, will go to polls in the second phase to be held on April 26. Wamanrao Chatap, a former MLA and farmers’ leader (right) Prabhakar Kondbattunwar, veteran journalist The call for a separate Vidarbha state has a history spanning over a century, often sparking significant protests and agitations. During both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, the demand for statehood for this central Indian region typically garners momentum, with many political leaders raising their voices for their concerns. Support for a separate state Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, several political leaders came out openly in support of separate Vidarbha. Until 2014, among the four main political parties in Maharashtra then – the Congress, the NCP, the BJP, and the Shiv Sena – two have consistently supported the idea of a separate Vidarbha. The BJP, driven by its lack of influence in other parts of Maharashtra at the time, saw a separate Vidarbha as an opportunity to extend its governance. In fact, in the run-up to the Assembly elections in October 2014, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari publicly urged the audience, on live television, to rally for a separate Vidarbha. Conversely, the NCP pursued separation for the opposite reason – as it lacked a strong foothold in Vidarbha, dividing the region would potentially grant it dominance over the rest of Maharashtra. However, post-2014 Lok Sabha elections, the scenario started changing. The Vidarbha region has given four Maharashtra Chief Ministers - Vasantrao Naik, Marotrao Kannamwar, Sudhakarrao Naik, and Devendra Fadnavis. In the 2024 general elections, the Vidarbha statehood demand appears conspicuously absent from the election campaigns, public meetings, rallies and pledges of major political parties and coalitions. For over a century, a significant portion of the populace in the region has advocated for the establishment of Vidarbha as a separate state. This movement predates the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, which culminated in the formation of Maharashtra as a Marathi-linguistic state on May 1, 1960. On May 1, 1960, the Vidarbha region, previously part of the Central Provinces and Berar, was integrated into the newly established state of Maharashtra. Spanning 97,404 sq km, Vidarbha comprises 31.6 per cent of Maharashtra's total area and is home to 21.3 per cent of its population. In terms of geographical expanse, Vidarbha, with its 11 districts spanning two revenue divisions of Nagpur and Amravati, surpasses the size of several Indian states. Politicians have backstabbed Wamanrao Chatap, a former MLA and farmers' leader said, "The political leaders especially the ones from BJP- NDA government used us and when their work was done, they pushed us back and moved ahead. People have seen their true character now and this will cost them big. They will lose five of the seats from Vidarbha for sure this time. They will lose Yavatmal-Washim and Buldhana where they have fielded candidates from Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and they will also lose Wardha, Gadchiroli-Chimur and Amravati. Our movement is still on. We had stopped the agitation due to the model code of conduct. Post May 1 we will start our protests. We will ensure the demands for separate Vidarbha will not be forgotten." Prabhakar Kondbattunwar, a veteran journalist, writer and pro-separate Vidarbha activist told mid-day that the leaders of BJP and Congress-NCP have backstabbed the people of Vidarbha. "They misguided and misled us by promising us and the people of Vidarbha on statehood for the region. They have failed to fulfil their promises after coming to power," said Kondbattunwar. He added, "The right for the creation of state lies with the Centre as per the Constitution. The Centre needs the willpower to take the decision. What it needs is a push from leaders here. But the problem is who will bell the cat. We have voices, but no funds. Those who have a voice and funds have lost the intention. He emphasised that Vidarbha meets all the criteria for statehood, advocating for Nagpur to serve as its capital. According to Kondbattunwar, Vidarbha maintains its distinct character, culture, and identity despite being predominantly Marathi-speaking. "Dismissing the possibility of separation from Maharashtra solely based on its Marathi-speaking status is flawed. Just as there are numerous Hindi-speaking states in the north, does that mean they cannot exist independently?" he concluded. Kondbattunwar argues, "Nagpur boasts a Vidhan Sabha complex, government and ministerial residences, MLA hostels, an international airport, a full-fledged railway station complex, a bus depot, and more. Moreover, the Vidarbha region possesses 70 to 80 per cent of the state's mineral resources, contributes to 65 per cent of power production, possesses coal reserves, and encompasses 56 per cent of the state's forests. If Vidarbha is so integral to Maharashtra that it cannot be separated, then why is development progressing at a sluggish pace? Why hasn't a solution been found to address the distressing issue of farmer suicides? "We placed our trust in the promises of Congress and the assurances of the BJP... but both parties, along with their respective alliances, have failed the people of this region. This movement is driven by the people's fervour and cannot be brushed aside conveniently. For over a century, the people have patiently waited. In the days and years ahead, the people will hold these political parties to account. We haven't lost hope," Chatap affirmed. 10No of Lok Sabha seats in Vidarbha
18 April,2024 06:55 AM IST | Yavatmal | Dipti SinghADVERTISEMENT
