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

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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

Drugs worth Rs 50 crore destroyed in Mumbai

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Mumbai: In line with the 100-day program launched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Anti-Narcotics Cell, ANC of Mumbai Police seized 530 kg 4433 bottles of cocaine worth a total of Rs 50 crore in 130 court cases registered in Mumbai. The operation was completed at Maharashtra Government approved Waste Management Private Limited Company, Taluja Panwal Raigad. The action was taken on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Pansalkar, Special Commissioner Devin Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police Laxmi Gautam. Satyanarayan Chaudhary is also the chairman of the committee and the operation was carried out by ANC DCP Shyam Ghaghe.

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Maharashtra

Police action against drunk drivers, 7 cases registered

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Mumbai: Mumbai Traffic Police has intensified its action against drunk drivers and has also taken action against those violating traffic rules. Mumbai Traffic Police has registered a case under Section 125 against drunk driving. On April 8, 7 cases were registered under Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 2023 against drunk driving and their licenses have also been canceled.

In this case, the traffic police has registered a case of drunk driving against Sagar Prabhakar, 27, Thana, Dilip Subhash Yadav, 28, Mazgaon, Rakesh Shivaji Rathore, 22, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, Rahim Sheikh, 30, Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Surjeet Singh, 26, Sakinaka, Prakash Yashwant, 39, Kajopara, Borivali, Ajay Kumar Ram Shankar Singh, 40, Jogeshwari. The traffic police has tried to curb this by intensifying action against drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol and endanger the lives of others. The traffic police said that the process of action against those violating traffic rules has been expedited and action is being taken accordingly.

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Maharashtra

Order to close non-aided schools in Mumbai and Thane… Future of lakhs of children in danger, Abu Asim Azmi demands the government to withdraw the order

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After declaring private non-aided schools in Mumbai and Thane illegal and issuing orders to close them, the supply of electricity and water to the schools should be stopped immediately and cases should be registered and the process of closing these schools should be postponed, this demand was made by Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi today during a meeting with Education Minister Dadbhasha here along with a delegation of teachers and school administration.

Abu Asim Azmi said that there are many schools in Thane and Govandi which are providing English medium education to poor children at a low and reasonable fee of Rs 400 to 500, but now their electricity and water connections are being cut to close these schools. Police is being sent to these schools. Due to the closure of these schools, thousands of children will be deprived of education. First, arrangements should be made for the education of these children and then a decision should be taken in this regard. Abu Asim Azmi handed over a memorandum to the Education Minister and told that 81 corporation schools in Thane district have been declared illegal and notice has been given to close them. Where will the lakhs of poor children here go? He told that the conditions of 5000 square feet of land and FD of Rs 1.5 lakh along with a lease agreement of 30 years should be fulfilled. Fees of Rs 20 to 25 lakh for private schools should also be abolished. He said that similarly, in Govind Shivaji Nagar, many private schools providing education to children at low fees are also being declared illegal and action is being taken. If these schools are closed, teachers will become unemployed and the future of children will also become dark. He said that first of all arrangements should be made for the education of these children and then some steps should be taken to provide education to everyone. Education Minister Dadabhai has assured necessary action on Abu Asim Azmi’s demand and said that a decision will be taken after considering the matter.

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