Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday hit out at the Maharashtra government over its decision to close meat and fish shops in certain municipal areas on August 15, Independence Day, citing historical examples to question the logic behind the move.

Raut argued that legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his soldiers, as well as Peshwa Bajirao, were non-vegetarians, and that meat consumption was essential for warriors. “Shivaji Maharaj and his Mavlas did not go to war after eating only dal-rice and ghee; they consumed meat. Bajirao Peshwa also ate meat. Even our soldiers at the border cannot fight wars on shrikhand and puri. Devendra Fadnavis, you are making Maharashtra weak and impotent,” he said.

The UBT leader questioned the basis for the August 15 ban, calling it a new gimmick with no historical or cultural relevance. “August 15 is our Independence Day, not a religious festival. This freedom was not given to us by Modi, Shah, or Fadnavis. Who demanded the closure of chicken and mutton shops? Who is the mastermind of this drama?” he asked.

Raut accused the government of hypocrisy, recalling that those in power had once sacrificed bulls and goats at the Kamakhya Devi temple as part of religious tradition, and even consumed the meat as prasad. “If the creators of this government can do that, then telling people today to be vegetarian is nothing but hypocrisy,” he remarked.

Meat Ban Enforced By KDMC

His comments followed the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s (KDMC) order to shut all slaughterhouses for 24 hours from midnight of August 14 to midnight of August 15. The decision, affecting goat, sheep, poultry and large animal slaughter, was based on a 1988 administrative resolution and approved by Deputy Commissioner Kanchan Gaikwad. Notices were issued to all slaughterhouse operators.

Similar restrictions were announced in other municipal areas, including Nagpur. While ruling party leaders defended the ban as a harmless, symbolic gesture, Opposition leaders accused the government of moral policing and diverting attention from core civic issues.

Thane: The Thane Crime Branch has arrested two persons for allegedly possessing 15.9kg MD (mephedrone), a psychotropic substance, with the intent to sell it in the city. The accused – Tanvir Ahmad Ansari, 23, and Mahesh Desai, 35, residents of Mumbra and Ulhasnagar – were intercepted after a nakabandi on August 9 at Ranjnoli Naka on the Bhiwandi-Kalyan bypass road.

Cops Seize ₹31 Crore MD in Back-to-Back Car Interceptions

The police first stopped a car driven by Tanvir and, upon inspection, recovered 11.763kg MD. Soon after, another car driven by Mahesh was intercepted, and officials recovered 4.161kg MD powder from him; the total value of the contraband is Rs31.84 crore. Their cars and phones were seized by the police.

Preliminary interrogation revealed Tanvir is already named in three FIRs, including drug-related charges, at Mumbra, Daighar, and Byculla police stations. Mahesh, confessed to four prior offences, including cases under the NDPS Act and MCOCA at Ajara Police station in Kolhapur.

In a high-stakes simulation designed to test the city’s preparedness against terror threats, a full-scale mock drill was conducted at Mumbai Central Railway Station on Tuesday morning. The operation, staged just days ahead of Independence Day, aimed to evaluate the coordination and response capabilities of multiple security agencies in the event of a terrorist attack.

Initial Response and Intel Gathering

The drill commenced at approximately 11:29 am with a distress scenario: a Head Constable received intel about two armed terrorists holding a passenger hostage inside the General Hall of the bustling terminus. The suspects were believed to be concealed in the AC waiting room on the first floor.

Rapid Mobilisation of Security Forces

Responding swiftly, Senior Police Inspector Hemraj Kumbhar, along with a team of officers and Railway Protection Force (RPF) Inspector Nahar Singh, arrived on the scene. Acting in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Commissioner of Police (Railways), the team immediately informed the Mumbai Railway Control Room at 11:35 am and called in reinforcements.

Establishing Security Perimeter and Deployment

Within minutes, the area was cordoned off, with all entry and exit points to the General Hall sealed. Armed officers, including units from the Dog Squad, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and the Quick Response Team (QRT), were deployed strategically across the site. The Riot Control Unit and Railway Protection Force assisted in establishing a security perimeter.

Threat Neutralisation Operation

At around 12:15pm, QRT commandos launched a meticulous room-to-room search operation to neutralize the simulated threat. Post-operation, BDDS teams from Ghatkopar HQ, accompanied by dog squads and RPF K9 units, combed through critical areas including the booking office, parcel area, and both waiting rooms to ensure the area was secure.

Exercise Concludes Successfully

The exercise concluded by 1:05 pm, successfully testing the readiness and coordination of Mumbai’s emergency services.

Manpower and Teams Involved

More than 50 personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP) were involved in the operation, including one Senior Police Inspector, two Police Inspectors, two Sub-Inspectors, and 22 officers. The BDDS team, comprising four staff and one dog squad, played a crucial role, as did 15 RPF personnel—including one Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors—from Mumbai Central.

Supporting Units and Medical Preparedness

Also participating were 11 QRT commandos, a Riot Control Team of 11 personnel, and four members from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) based in Kala Chowki. An ambulance team was on standby for any medical emergencies.

Authorities Praise Proactive Security Measures

Authorities hailed the drill as a success, underscoring Mumbai’s proactive approach to national security and its commitment to public safety ahead of India’s 79th Independence Day.