Mumbai: The sudden decision to shut down City International School in Jogeshwari West has triggered anxiety among parents of more than 600 students, even as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) intervened and warned the management against closing the institution.

The English-medium school, located in the Oshiwara area, has been operating for nearly 25 years. However, the management recently issued a notice to parents stating that the school would be closed, reportedly due to a steep hike in rent demanded by the landlord.

The landlord has sought a payment of ₹50 lakh for the premises, where the school was earlier paying a monthly rent of around ₹35 lakh reported Media. Citing its inability to bear the increased financial burden, the school administration decided to shut operations.

The announcement has caused confusion and fear among parents, as the admission process for the upcoming academic year is already underway. Many families are now worried about their children’s future, as they may have to seek new schools at short notice.

Following complaints from parents, MNS Versova Assembly Division president Sandesh Desai visited the school premises and held discussions with the management. Desai warned that the party would not allow the school to shut down abruptly, especially if it results in academic loss for the students.

Desai stated that the party would launch a strong agitation if the management proceeds with the closure at the cost of the students. A delegation from the MNS met the school authorities on Friday to discuss the issue and seek clarity on the decision.

Meanwhile, parents have demanded immediate intervention from the education department. They have urged authorities to take cognisance of the situation and ensure that the students do not suffer due to the dispute between the landlord and the school management.

With the academic year approaching, parents are hoping for a quick resolution, while political intervention has added pressure on the management to reconsider its decision or provide a proper transition plan for the affected students.

Navi Mumbai, Feb 13: In a move to dismantle the drug network in the city, the Navi Mumbai Police have stepped up their efforts by announcing the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Task Cell (ANTC) at every police station level. The initiative aims to intensify and streamline anti-drug operations, ensuring swift and effective action against drug mafias at the local level.

Instead of relying solely on the central Anti-Narcotics Cell, the police have decided to empower local units to combat the growing menace of narcotics.

The ANTC at each police station will focus on gathering intelligence about individuals involved in the sale and storage of drugs, conducting immediate raids without waiting for orders from senior offices once credible information is received, strengthening investigations with technical and legal backing, and maintaining a proper legal chain of custody of seized contraband to ensure successful prosecution of offenders.

The cell at each police station will function under the guidance of the Senior Police Inspector, while the Police Inspector (Crime) will hold direct responsibility for its operations. The teams will work in close coordination with the central Anti-Narcotics Cell.

Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe said, “Making Navi Mumbai drug-free is our top priority. Through the Anti-Narcotics Task Cell, we have expanded our policing network. Now, every police station will have a dedicated team working exclusively against narcotics. Citizens should not hesitate to inform the police if they notice any suspicious or illegal activities in their area. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.”

The training for the functioning of ANTC for the staff of police stations has been done, the Commissioner said.

Navi Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai Police has busted a drug trafficking racket operating under the cover of a scrap business and arrested seven persons in connection with the case. Acting on a tip-off, police raided a hut located near the railway tracks in Nerul and seized heroin and ganja collectively worth Rs 22 lakh.

According to police, information was received that a man identified as Raju Rathod was allegedly selling narcotic substances under the pretext of running a scrap business near the railway tracks in Sector 28, Nerul, with the help of his relatives. Based on this input, a team led by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade, comprising four police officers and 15 personnel, conducted a raid at around 12.30 pm on Wednesday at the suspected hut along the railway line.

During the search, police recovered 43.6 grams of heroin and 26 grams of ganja valued at Rs 22 lakh from the premises. The contraband was seized and seven accused were taken into custody.

The arrested accused have been identified as Rakesh Sachin Waghri (18), Rajendra Bhima Kale (55), Anita Sanjay Pawar (29), Raju Babu Rathod (28), Shivram Laxman Pawar (32), Kamalabai Babu Rathod (55), and Suman Raju Rathod (25). A case has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Nerul police station.

Police said that the main accused, Raju Rathod, is a history-sheeter with previous cases of assault and theft/house-breaking registered against him at Nerul police station. It was also found that his scrap shop was operating on an unauthorized plot. The police have written to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation seeking immediate demolition of the illegal structure.

Meanwhile, two other accused, identified as Vishal and Ganga Kale, are absconding and a search is underway to trace them.