The residents of Dombivli have barely begun to piece their lives back together after Thursday’s multiple blasts in a chemical factory in the suburb’s MIDC Phase II. The last thing they need is a mockery of their suffering and rehabilitation process. On Thursday evening, a circle officer and four talatis from the Thane collector’s office, who were sent to survey the extent of damage caused by the explosions to houses in the area, crossed the line.

Kamlakar Patil, circle officer from the Thane collector's office.