Vasai-Virar, Oct 14: Two women were killed after a massive fire broke out at the multi-storey Imperial Heights building in the Achole area on the Nalasopara-Vasai Link Road in Maharashtra Palghar district, triggering panic among residents and trapping several people on the upper floors.

The fire broke out around 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday night, prompting an emergency response from the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s fire department, police and administrative officials. A large-scale rescue operation was launched using fire engines, turntable ladder (TTL) machines and specialised equipment. Around 25 to 30 people were safely evacuated from the building.

The deceased have been identified as Falguni Shah (50) and Ashwini Parkar (50). Preliminary information suggests that they may have died due to smoke inhalation.

Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. said the fire was reported at around 11.30 p.m., following which fire personnel, police officers and administrative officials rushed to the spot and began rescue operations.

According to the Commissioner, around 15 to 20 people were initially rescued with the assistance of firefighters and TTL machines, while several other residents managed to descend safely from the building.

He said nearby banquet halls and hotels had been made available to provide temporary accommodation to families affected by the incident.

The Commissioner added that a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. The probe will examine the building’s construction permissions, fire safety approvals, the condition of firefighting systems and the possibility of a short circuit in the electrical panel. Appropriate action will be taken if any negligence or safety deficiencies are found, he said.

He further stated that saving lives remained the top priority during the rescue operation. Given the intense heat in the stairwell, firefighters assessed the situation carefully and worked to secure trapped residents before evacuating them in a planned manner.

Rohan More, Chief Fire Officer of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, said local corporator Ashok Shelke informed him about the incident around midnight. By that time, two fire engines from the Achole area had already reached the location.

More said the fire was initially reported on the fourth floor, but its severity became apparent when the fire brigade personnel arrived at the scene. Several residents were trapped on the upper floors, making their safe evacuation the department’s immediate priority.

Eight people were rescued from outside the building with the help of a special TTL machine. Overall, around 25 to 30 people were reported to have been evacuated, including residents rescued from different locations.

According to the Chief Fire Officer, the fire was particularly intense on the 13th and 14th floors. Traces of fire or embers were also found on the third and ninth floors, while the door leading to the refuge floor on the 12th floor was engulfed in flames. Firefighters conducted operations across multiple floors to contain the blaze and rescue residents.

Several fire engines, water tankers, water-browsers, and specialised water towers were deployed to bring the fire under control. Private water tankers were also called in to support the firefighting operation. More said the exact cause of the fire would be established only after the investigation was completed.

Dr Kavita Jagada, in charge of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s Tulinj Hospital, told media that both women had sustained minor burn injuries. Preliminary findings suggested that they had likely died after inhaling smoke into their lungs. Following completion of the panchnama, or inquest proceedings, their bodies were sent to the mortuary in Vasai West. The final cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem reports are received.

Following the incident, Vasai-Virar Mayor Ajeev Patil, Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., MLA Sneha Dubey Pandit, Additional Commissioner Sanjay Herwade, City Engineer Pradeep Pachange, ACP Sunil Jaibhaye, the senior police inspector of the MBVV Police Station and other police personnel reached the scene to oversee the situation and rescue efforts.

Mumbai, Oct 14: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Wednesday launched a blistering attack against the Centre, accusing it of institutionalising authoritarianism and systematically muzzling public dissent.

The Thackeray camp’s criticism comes in the wake of the Delhi Police’s decision to strip Jantar Mantar of its decades-long status as a designated demonstration venue.

The Thackeray camp in an editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Samaana’, noted that under new police orders, protests have been pushed far away from the seat of power to remote locations — Ramlila Maidan (4 km away), CBD Ground in Shahdara (12 km away), and Burari Ground (20-21 km away). The party argued this is a deliberate strategy to ensure public agitation creates no ripples in Parliament or the national consciousness.

Highlighting the commercialisation of democratic rights, the editorial pointed out that venues like Ramlila Maidan cost upwards of Rs 1.5 lakh per day, require months of advance booking, and are frequently tied up for religious or ruling-party events. Contrasting this with the accessible, fee-free nature of Jantar Mantar, the editorial labelled the new financial hurdles an exorbitant “Jizya tax” levied on those daring to voice opposition.

Drawing comparisons to India’s freedom struggle — where historic movements thrived around Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj, and near Parliament — the editorial stressed that peaceful assembly is a constitutionally protected right. Pushing voices outside city limits, it argued, signals deep-seated administrative fear. The administrative clampdown follows heightened political friction surrounding demonstrations by groups like the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding accountability over electoral integrity, which triggered heavy security deployments and mass preventive detentions in the capital, the editorial added.

The Thackeray faction asserted that opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have strongly condemned the crackdown, while legal challenges against the de-notification of Jantar Mantar have rapidly moved to the Delhi High Court.

Firing a stern warning at the Central government, the editorial said, “Jantar Mantar has become a living memorial of agitations. The BJP rule converted a symbol of democracy into a memorial. This memorial of Jantar Mantar will become the tomb of dictatorial tendencies. Naturally, Jantar Mantar will not stay quiet; the present rulers themselves will have to run away.”

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena claimed that when a government begins to “fear its own public, the countdown to its end has officially begun”.

The ‘INDIA’ alliance organized a march to the Supreme Court in Delhi, attended by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Members of Parliament from the alliance. Following this protest, it appears that the ‘INDIA’ alliance has adopted an aggressive stance. Commenting on the protest, Eknath Shinde remarked that yesterday was a ‘black day’ in the country’s history. He observed that the Constitution and the constitutional institutions established by Babasaheb were trampled upon. An unprecedented event occurred where a march to the Supreme Court was undertaken to exert pressure. Condemning the actions of Rahul Gandhi and the ‘INDIA’ alliance, he stated that no amount of condemnation would be enough. While acknowledging their right to protest in a democracy, he questioned the method of leading a march merely to file a petition. He emphasized that they should apologize for attacking India’s judicial system. Claiming that they are actively working to destroy the Constitution and strangle democracy, he added that the current situation poses a danger to the country. He expressed suspicion regarding the involvement of foreign forces, suggesting it could be part of an international conspiracy. Eknath Shinde said, “It is extremely unfortunate that they are pushing the country towards chaos; this is dangerous for the nation.” He added that since they cannot win elections or defeat the Prime Minister, they are resorting to such tactics. Shinde also leveled serious allegations, stating that the opposition is undermining the country’s freedom. Attempts are being made by foreign powers to destabilize the country. He emphasized the need to consistently speak out against their anti-national mindset. They operate under the conviction that they will not come to power at the Centre; this very thought drives their daily actions. It was the opposition itself that once attempted to destroy the Constitution. Referring to the Emergency, Shinde asked: if an Emergency were in place today, would protests even reach the Supreme Court? Nowadays, everyone is free to express their views. Is the current situation an Emergency, or was that the Emergency? Back then, everything was shut down. Is it right to march towards the judiciary and insult it? They talk about ‘breaking India’ and protest while threatening to leave the country. They know their demands are flawed; they are aware they will not get justice because their demands are baseless. They had protested against the increase in voter turnout. Now, if names are removed from the voter list, they protest—even though ‘Form 6’ exists to ensure no injustice occurs. It was merely a drama staged by ‘immature’ (shortsighted) people, all for the sake of gaining power. This is an insult to Lord Shiva; they lack wisdom. If the ‘third eye’ were to open, the ‘INDIA’ alliance would be wiped out. When people gather, they simply step out of their homes; they do not have to travel far—they find a ready-made platform and join in. They simply want to speak out against Modi. They claim that Modi has rendered them unemployed, so what other option do they have but to protest?