Connect with us
Friday,20-September-2024
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: MVA, others seek probe into scribe’s ‘murder’, decry lawlessness

Published

on

The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Bombay Union of Journalists and Peoples Union for Civil Liberties have demanded a probe into the ‘murder’ of Ratnagiri journalist Shashikant Warishe — who succumbed after being knocked down by a vehicle under suspicious circumstances — here on Wednesday.

Warishe, a crusading scribe working for ‘Mahanagri Times’ publication, met with an “accident” late on Monday and succumbed on Tuesday morning, sparking a furore in state media circles.

He had been writing a series of articles campaigning against the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery and petrochemicals mega-complex coming up with foreign collaboration, at Barsu, near the original location of Nanar.

It is alleged that Warishe was run down by a speeding vehicle of one Pandharinath Amberkar, who is a strong supporter of the refinery complex, ostensibly to teach him a lesson.

Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe, Sena (UBT) national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari, BUJ’s Indra Kumar Jain and PUCL’s Mihir Desai and Lara Jesani have strongly condemned what they suspect is a ‘well-planned murder’ of the activist-journalist.

Londhe said that even since the government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis came to power (in June 2022), attacks on the mediapersons doing their jobs are increasing in Maharashtra, undermining the independence of the fourth pillar of Democracy.

“The killing of a journalist like this is an atrocious attack on democracy and a blot on a progressive and tolerant state like Maharashtra. Law and order has deteriorated under the Shinde-Fadnavis regime. Ruling party MLAs fire guns openly, threaten to beat up people, assault officials, beat up principals, etc.,” said Londhe.

Tiwari said that it was indeed a grim scenario with the media being threatened in this manner with attacks for exposing the government or its policies and officials, and called for urgent steps from Fadnavis who holds the home portfolio.

Urgent for a speedy and fair probe, Desai and Jesani demanded compensation and security for Warishe’s family, and stopping all land acquisition work pertaining to the proposed refinery project till the locals’ views are taken into account.

Quoting local reports, Jain said that Warishe was dragged for over 100 metres under Amberkar’s vehicle before he fled the spot, leaving the journalist profusely bleeding on the Rajapur Highway.

“The incident came soon after Warishe had published Amberkar’s photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde and Fadnavis. Amberkar has been accused of land-grabbing and intimidating the locals or activists who are opposed to the refinery project,” said Jain.

On Tuesday, the All India Marathi Patrakar Sanghi, Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, the Mantralay Ani Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh urged the government to take immediate action in the matter and ensure the most stringent punishment for the guilty.

Media organisations have also submitted a memorandum to the state government condemning the incident and ensuring an impartial probe into the ‘heinous killing’ of Warishe.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 : Polling Booths Increased To 10,111 In Mumbai As Voter Capacity Reduced To 1,250

Published

on

The number of polling stations designated in the Greater Mumbai area is now 10 thousand 111

An increase of 218 polling stations compared to Lok Sabha General Election-2024

Now average up to 1200 voters per center

In view of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections-2024, as per the instructions given by the Hon’ble Election Commission of India from time to time, polling stations in the Greater Mumbai area (Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban Districts) have been streamlined with a view to enable voters to vote easily. Due to this streamlining program, the number of polling stations in Greater Mumbai area has increased to 10 thousand 111. Compared to Lok Sabha General Election-2024, the number of polling stations has increased by 218. In this, the average number of voters per polling station will now be 1200 from the earlier average of 1500, thus the number of polling stations has increased and as a result will help increase the volume and speed of voting.

As per the instructions of Hon’ble Election Commission of India and State Election Commission, District Election Officer and Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Shri. Under the guidance of Bhushan Gagrani, preparations are being made in a planned manner by the administration in the background of the upcoming assembly elections. The polling stations have been streamlined on this line.

The number of polling stations has been fixed keeping in mind that the average number of voters will be up to 1200 per polling station while streamlining the polling stations in Greater Mumbai area. So, the polling stations in the same location with more polling stations have been decentralised. Therefore, the number of polling booths has increased in some parts of Greater Mumbai as compared to Lok Sabha General Election-2024.

In line with this, a meeting was held yesterday evening (dated September 19, 2024) at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters with the representatives of political parties to inform about the regularization of polling stations in various constituencies in Brihanmumbai. District Election Officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to provide information about polling station reorganization and to create awareness among the voters. Commissioner Mr. Under the guidance of Bhushan Gagrani, Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. (Mrs.) Ashwini Joshi held a meeting with the representatives of various political parties and gave detailed information about it.Additional District Election Officer and Mumbai City Collector Shri. Sanjay Yadav, Special Duty Officer (Election) Shri. Vijay Balamwar, concerned officials and representatives of various political parties attended the meeting.

At the time of Lok Sabha General Election – 2024, there were a total of 2 thousand 509 polling stations in Mumbai city district. So, in Mumbai suburb district this number was 7 thousand 384. Due to the streamlining programme, the number of polling stations has increased to 2 thousand 537 and 7 thousand 574 respectively i.e. 10 thousand 111 in the entire Greater Mumbai area (Mumbai city and Mumbai suburb districts).

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Dharamveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project will continue to operate from 7 am to 12 pm, seven days a week.

Published

on

Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project will continue to operate from 7 am to 12 pm, seven days a week.

Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) Project through Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is being constructed from Shamaldas Gandhi Marg (Princess Street) flyover to Worli end of Bandra – Worli Sea Bridge. Till date 92 percent work of this project has been completed.

Ganeshotsavadarmayan Mumbai coastal road project was open for 24 hours traffic from 06 September 2024 to 18 September 2024. Now, starting from Saturday 21 September 2024, the Mumbai Coastal Road Project will be open for traffic from 7 AM to 12 PM, 7 days a week. So, it will be closed for traffic from 12 pm to 7 am.

The South Channel from Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk, Rajni Patel Chowk (Lotus Junction) and Amersons Udyan to Marine Drive and the North Channel from Marine Drive, Haji Ali and Rajni Patel Chowk (Lotus Junction) to Bandra Worli Sagari Setu (Rajiv Gandhi Sagari Setu) are open for traffic. will stay

Meanwhile, Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road Project (South) is progressing rapidly. Drivers should strictly follow speed limit, traffic rules. Follow traffic rules. Take extra care while driving. A humble appeal is being made on behalf of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration to avoid accidents and cooperate with the municipal administration.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

WR’s MAJOR BLOCK BETWEEN GOREGAON AND KANDIVALI

Published

on

To facilitate the construction of the 6th line between Goregaon and Kandivali, a major block of 10 hours will be taken on the Up and Down Slow lines and Down Fast line between Goregaon and Kandivali stations from 00:00 hrs to 10.00 hrs during the intervening night of Saturday/ Sunday, i.e. on
21st/22nd September, 2024.

According to a press release issued by Shri Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the block, all Up Slow line trains will run on the Up Fast line from Borivali to Goregaon. Similarly, all Down Slow line trains will run on the Down Fast line from Andheri, and these trains will be dealt at Platform No. 7 of Goregaon station. Between Goregaon and Borivali stations, these Down Slow line trains will run on the 5th line and due to unavailability of platforms, these trains will not halt at Ram Mandir, Malad and Kandivali stations during the block period. It may also be noted that all Down Fast trains will run on Down Slow line from Andheri to Virar after 04.30 hrs till the completion of block period. Additionally, a few Churchgate – Borivali Slow train services will be short-terminated and reversed from Goregaon station.

Passengers are also informed that UP and DOWN Mail/Express trains will be subject to delays of approximately 10 to 20 minutes during the block period.

Some suburban trains will be cancelled/short terminated during the block. List of trains cancelled/short terminated is enclosed as Annexure I & Annexure II. Detailed information to this effect is available with concerned Station Masters. Passengers are requested to please take note of the above arrangements.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending