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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

Social media influencer Lala Lifestyle Mohsin Khan files complaint against four people in Nagpara Police

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Mumbai: Social activist and social media lifestyle influencer Mohsin Khan alias Lala Lifestyle has filed a written complaint under Section 173(1) of the BNSS, 2023 at Nagpara Police Station seeking registration of an FIR against four persons for alleged caste-based harassment and criminal offences. Those against whom Lala Lifestyle has filed the complaint include Moin Batla son of Asif Batla, (2) Shoaib Tiger son of Zubair, (3) Sharukh Pathan, and (4) an unknown person. Khan has invoked the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, namely Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(u), 3(1)(za) and 3(2)(va)* along with Sections 61, 196, B196, B13,53 2023, and the IT Act, A complaint under Section 67 of 2000 has been registered. In addition, FIR No. 0154 of 2026 has already been registered at Dongri Police Station on 12/03/2026. As per the complaint, the accused was allegedly involved in caste-based humiliation, criminal threats and circulation of obscene electronic material. Khan has submitted electronic evidence and has sought police protection citing threats from the accused. Nagpara Police has confirmed receipt of the complaint. Further investigation is pending.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Dr. Sejal Pawar goes on leave due to controversial statements and comments, KEM Hospital takes strict action even before investigation

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Mumbai: Student Dr. Sejal at a comedy event Sejal has been sent on 15-day leave along with a departmental inquiry and further action will be taken only after its final report. Institutional action in the matter related to Dr. Sejal Pawar.

Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital have taken due cognizance of the public concern arising out of the remarks made by MBBS third year student Sejal Pawar during a comedy event and the subsequent circulation of the related video material on social media platforms.

Immediately after receiving the complaints, the institute initiated a preliminary fact-finding process. The concerned student was called, his explanation/apology was taken on record, and the relevant material was reviewed. In view of the preliminary findings, the sensitivity of the matter, and the need to maintain the dignity of deceased persons, body donors and the professional standards expected of medical students, an interim disciplinary/administrative order has been issued against Pawar today.

Accordingly, Pawar has been placed on compulsory leave for a period of 15 days, with effect from May 13, pending detailed inquiry and further orders. At 10:30 am today, he was entrusted with the care and supervision of his parents/guardians during the said period. He has also been directed to cooperate fully with the institutional inquiry and to be available in person or through online mode whenever called by the inquiry committee.

A proposal has also been made to constitute a comprehensive five-member inquiry committee comprising senior faculty, one external/non-faculty member and appropriate institutional representation. The committee is expected to examine the facts, context, implications and relevant records including the aspect of social media circulation and make its reasoned recommendations for further action. The Institute reiterates that respect for patients, deceased, body donors and their families is a core value of medical education. The matter will be dealt with seriousness, sensitivity and due process with fairness. Further action will be taken as per applicable NMC MUHS, BMC and institutional norms after receipt of detailed inquiry report.

No final conclusion should be drawn at this stage, as a comprehensive inquiry is currently underway.

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Maharashtra

Contractors fined for negligence and laxity in Mumbai drain cleaning, Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration takes strict action

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The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has taken a tough stand against the contractors for the shortcomings found through the artificial intelligence system in the drain cleaning work and for delay in the deployment of machinery as per the terms and conditions of the tender. In addition, a fine of Rs. 92,572,830 has been imposed on the concerned contractors. This fine amount is being recovered from the contractor’s bills.

The Sewerage Department has taken this action as per the directions of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Every year, before the onset of rains in Mumbai, the Sewerage Department of the Municipal Corporation removes silt from the sweet rivers and large drains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. While the work of removing silt from small drains is done at the ward level. Natural drains, rain drains, underground drains, chambers and bridges are opened and cleaned. Removing garbage from drains helps in faster drainage of rainwater. Keeping in mind the rainfall experience and intensity of rainfall in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the target for sludge removal is determined by studying the amount of sludge that needs to be removed from the drains. Like every year, this year too, the work of removing sludge from drains was started in a hurry in the first week of March. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed the system to effectively monitor these drain cleaning works. To ensure that the sludge removal works are carried out properly and monitored, the municipal administration has developed an artificial intelligence (A.I.) system since last year. Through this system, the work of cleaning drains is being closely monitored. Accordingly, 30 seconds of filming (video) along with photography has been made mandatory for these works. While filming and videoing through CCTV has been made mandatory before and after the removal of sludge from small drains. The municipal administration is analyzing all the videos received regarding the removal of garbage with the help of an artificial intelligence system. This is helping the administration to accurately monitor the garbage removal works in the drains and maintain complete transparency in the works. Implementing the artificial intelligence system, the AI ​​system screens all the uploaded images and videos. It also detects errors in them. Criteria have been set to detect these errors and shortcomings. When the vehicle reaches the weighbridge for weighing, whether the tarpaulin is being removed or not (tarpaulin detection), reuse of the same image or inconsistency in the images (image ghosting), observation of the amount of dust flying from the vehicle during sludge disposal (dust inspection), availability of image (required availability), unavailability of image (manual inspection), non-uploading of videos of sludge unloading operations (unloading video not available) and discrepancies between registered vehicles or work codes and actual work details (vehicle/work code mismatch) have been detected according to these important aspects. In addition, various types of defects have been found in the drain cleaning work such as insufficient availability of necessary plants, machinery and vehicles, shortage of manpower, non-provision of safety equipment to workers performing drain cleaning work, non-processing of collected sludge in the prescribed manner and slowness in working within the prescribed time.

Due to AI-based inspection, verification of digital evidence and physical site inspection, errors in the work were detected in time and financial liability has been fixed on the concerned contractors. The amount of penalty has been fixed according to the error in the work and the penalty amount is being collected from the amount due from the contractors.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar said that the municipal administration is very insistent about quality and transparency in the drain cleaning work. Any mistake, whether deliberate or unintentional, in the drain cleaning work is unforgivable. The administration’s zero tolerance policy is maintained in this regard. On the one hand, great efforts have been made to improve the quality of the drain cleaning work and an attempt has been made to maintain the quality of the work done. However, by working through technology, punitive action has been taken by finding the mistakes left by the contractors and the purpose of this action is to send a message that overall negligence in the drain cleaning work will not be tolerated. If any lapse is found in future, the municipal corporation administration will take a strict stand. Abhijeet Bangar said that both AI-based monitoring and on-site inspection systems have effectively exposed the lapses in the work of cleaning drains. In particular, non-site inspection and non-uploading of videos were the main reasons for the punitive action.

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