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Mumbai News: Red Flag Over Coastal Security As Boats Operate Without Identity

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Mumbai: The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (AMMKS) has raised serious concerns over a threat to coastal security due to several boats operating without names, numbers and vessel registration certificates (VRC). In a letter dated July 17 to state home minister Devendra Fadnavis, president of AMMKS Devendra Damodar Tandel has pointed out several lacunae in the coastal security system which could be exploited by rogue elements from enemy countries.

The fishermen’s body also expressed worries over replication of a 26/11 like episode, wherein terrorists had taken a sea-route to reach the shores of Mumbai to launch the attacks due to the illegally operating boats, especially in the coastal waters of Karanja near Uran in Raigad, under the guise of fishing activities during the monsoon ban period.

Apparently, such boats which operate sans VRCs issued by the Maharashtra Maritime Board are illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU), nowhere reflecting in government and police records.

Unsupervised activities

Tandel said that apart from depleting the marine livestock due to fishing during monsoons, their major point of concern is the threat to security. He said, “Besides, the presence of our nuclear facility and oil rigs also become vulnerable due to such unsupervised activities taking place in a close range. The government should immediately form a co-ordination committee comprising members from all related agencies and representatives from fishing community pockets which will fix responsibilities and eliminate any chance of chinks in the security system.”

Tandel has also sought installation of CCTV cameras at jetties to keep a close watch on suspicious landings. There are around 18,000 registered fishing vessels including 6,000 small boats in the state. 

VMS In Limbo

In the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks, the government had mooted the idea of satellite-based Vehicle Monitoring Systems (VMS) in small fishing boats to track their movement. However, despite pilot studies the project remains stuck in a limbo. At present, the fishermen who venture into deep sea fishing largely rely on GPS-enable devices and distress alert transmitter (DAT) systems to get assistance in case of fire, capsizing of boats, and sudden sickness to crew members at the shortest possible time.

Fisheries Dept’s Promise

In a recent meeting with members of the local fishing community, the fisheries department commissioner had assured deployment of drones equipped with high definition cameras to keep an eye on illegal fishing activities. He had also directed officials to permanently cancel licenses of violators, and also act against unregistered operators by crushing the fishing vessels beyond repairs. However, fishermen claim that action is still awaited.   

Maharashtra

Indo-Pak tension: Mumbai Dadar Chowpatty not closed

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Mumbai: Mumbai Due to the war-like situation and tension between Pakistan and India, the market of rumors is hot on social media. Mumbai Police has denied the rumor of Mumbai’s Dadar Chowpatty being closed and has said that Dadar Chowpatty has not been closed. The message of Dadar Chowpatty being closed in the context of war was shared on social media, after which the police have denied it on their X and social media accounts and have said that Dadar Chowpatty is open to the general public as usual. It has not been closed. The public does not need to panic or pay attention to the rumor. Similarly, there was news of a drone being seen in Mumbai’s Sakinaka last night, which was confirmed by the police, which has also denied it. No drone has been found in Sakinaka either. This is also just a rumor, so the police have appealed to the citizens not to pay attention to the rumors and not to take any kind of action. Avoid sharing and making rumors viral.

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Maharashtra

Indian soldier Murali martyred in Pakistani firing in Mumbai

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Mumbai: After the terrorist attack in Kashmir Pahalgam, the Indian Army retaliated and launched a massive attack on Pakistan under “Operation Sindoor”. While the enemy was defeated in this operation, 27-year-old Murali Naik, a resident of Kamaraj Nagar, Mumbai, was martyred in firing on the border.

As soon as the news of the martyrdom of Martyr Murali Naik reached the area, a wave of mourning spread throughout Kamaraj Nagar. Every eye was moist and every heart was filled with pride. Former corporator of the area, Parmeshwar Kadam, said that Murali was honest and sociable since childhood and was also a capable soldier. He dreamed of serving the country at a young age. Even after facing setbacks, Murali joined the army. Some relatives even forbade him from joining the army, but Murali’s passion was unwavering. With hard work and dedication, he fulfilled his dream by joining the army.

Murali Naik joined the Indian Army in 2022. After training in Nashik, he was posted in Assam, then Punjab. Just a month ago, he was sent to the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, where he was martyred in firing by Pakistan on Friday morning. The mortal remains of martyr Murli Naik will be taken to his native village in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow, where his last rites will be performed with full state honours. Murali, who belongs to the Dhangar community, was sociable and lively since childhood. Today, not only Mumbai but the entire country is proud of Murali Naik. He made his great sacrifice while protecting Mother India.

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Maharashtra

Removing the Pakistani flag at Vile Parle station was costly, a case was registered against five people including a woman, police took action after the video went viral on social media

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Mumbai: The Juhu police has registered an FIR against six unidentified individuals, including a burqa-clad woman, for allegedly gathering unlawfully, verbally abusing, and physically assaulting people who opposed the removal of Pakistani flags near the west side of Vile Parle railway station.

According to the FIR, the incident took place on May 4, when the accused were seen removing Pakistani flags that had been pasted on the stair steps of the Vile Parle railway station as part of a protest against the April 22 massacre of Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The police have registered the case under Sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 190 (every member of an unlawful assembly guilty of an offence committed in pursuit of a common object), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The complainant, Santosh Salukhe, 49, a policeman, stated that he saw a video on Facebook, showing a veiled woman and four to five unidentified youths removing the Pakistani flags from the stair steps at Vile Parle railway station (West).

Salukhe immediately rushed to the location and learned that around 4 p.m. the same day, some unidentified individuals had pasted the Pakistani flags in front of the ticket counter at the station and on the steps as a symbolic protest against the recent terrorist attacks on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The flags carried the message “Step on it.” Those who pasted the flags left soon after.

Later, the veiled woman and her group arrived at the Vile Parle railway station and began removing the flags, which created a disturbance for commuters. When some people tried to stop them, the woman and her associates allegedly physically assaulted and verbally abused them, resulting in a brief period of tension at the station. Gurpreet Anand of Ankush Foundation had distributed free stickers of the Pakistani flag with the message “Step on it” printed at the bottom.

On Wednesday, he went to Juhu police station along with Parag Alavani MLA and others with a view to register an FIR. “However, the police did not register our FIR,” he told Media. But on Friday, a constable filed an FIR. Subsequently, the police registered a case. Juhu police officials said no arrests have been made yet, and no notices have been issued as they are in the process of identifying the accused.

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