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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

Mumbai NCB achieves major success in convicting D Company and Pathan gang leader Chinko Pathan. Five accused in the case were sentenced to death and fined.

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Mumbai: The Central Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) got a major success when the court convicted Dawood Ibrahim gang and Pathan gang chief Chinko Pathan. NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede had arrested these accused and arrested Chinko Pathan from Dongri with weapons, which is why the accused has been convicted in this case. The Central Anti-Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai convicted five accused in a major synthetic drug smuggling case. The value of the seized drugs is Rs 6.5 crore. In a major success against organised synthetic drug smuggling, the Mumbai Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has convicted five accused in a high-profile NDPS Act case involving the smuggling of Mephedrone (MD), Methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, as well as large-scale drug laundering and illegal possession of arms. On May 19, the Special NDPS Court, Thane, Maharashtra sentenced Mohammad Arif Yaqoob Bhujwala (R/O-Chinchbandar, Mumbai) to 15 years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh. Parvez Khan alias “Chunko Pathan” and Mohammad Salman Khan (both residents of Chinchbandar, Mumbai) and Vikrant Jain (resident of Bhiwandi, Thane) have been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. Another convict Haris Faizullah Khan (Murshid) has been sentenced to one year imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10,000.

The case began on January 20, 2021 when NCB Mumbai officers, acting on specific intelligence, conducted a search operation in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai and arrested a notorious history sheeter and drug smuggler Parvez Nasrullah Khan alias “Chunko Pathan”. During the operation, NCB officers recovered 52.2 grams of Mephedrone (MD) from his possession. The search resulted in the recovery of an unlicensed pistol with five live rounds, cash worth Rs 12,500, proceeds of drug smuggling, and approximately Rs 3.57 lakh. Precious metal ornaments worth Rs. were recovered which were allegedly obtained from illicit drug proceeds.

Investigation revealed that the seized contraband was supplied by another notorious smuggler and financier, Mohammed. Arif Bhujwala, who was running an organised network of synthetic drug smuggling from the Chinchbunder area of ​​Mumbai. Based on the revelations and technical investigations, the NCB teams conducted extensive searches at several premises linked to Arif Bhujwala.

The search at Noor Manzil, Chinchbunder, Mumbai resulted in the most significant seizure ever made by NCB Mumbai in a synthetic drug case so far. The officers recovered 5.375 kg of mephedrone, 990 gm of methamphetamine and 6.126 kg of ephedrine, a controlled precursor chemical widely used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs. In addition, another unlicensed firearm was seized along with cash worth Rs. 2,18,25,600. which is suspected to have been produced through illegal drug trafficking. The premises searched by the NCB were found to be functioning as storage and processing locations for synthetic narcotics. Various packaging materials, weighing machines, sealing equipment and items used for processing and distribution of contraband were also recovered during the operation. Several bank documents, mobile phones, electronic devices and financial records were seized and later analysed as part of the investigation.

Further investigation revealed the role of another accused, Mohammad Salman Khan, who was purchasing narcotics from Parvez Khan @ Chinko Pathan and further distributing it to the local drug network. A search conducted at his premises in Chinchbunder resulted in the recovery of 10.5 grams of Mephedrone along with packaging materials and weighing equipment used in distribution activities.
NCB investigators also uncovered the role of accused Vikrant Jain alias “Vicky Jain”, who was the financial backer of the drug trafficking operations. was aiding and abetting the illicit trafficking. A search was conducted at his premises in Bhiwandi which resulted in the seizure of 52.8 grams of mephedrone, including the banned substance mixed in Rajini Gandha and tobacco products. The financial records and banking instruments recovered during the search proved his role in financing and facilitating the drug trade.

In continuation of the continuous investigation and surveillance, the NCB teams successfully identified and arrested another accused, Haris Faizullah Khan, from whose possession 3 grams of mephedrone were recovered. The investigation revealed his active association with a vast network of synthetic drug trafficking.

The investigation was conducted by adopting a “bottom-up” and “network-centric” approach, systematically analysing all the forward and backward links of the smugglers. Through painstaking intelligence development, technical analysis and financial investigations, the NCB identified the principal operators, suppliers and The operation ultimately led to the dismantling of a well-established synthetic drug trafficking syndicate operating in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Considering the wide spread and financial depth of the network, NCB Mumbai had also initiated a comprehensive financial investigation to identify and link the assets generated from the illegal drug trafficking.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Bandra Mosque martyred, violence, protest: Police accused of stone pelting, situation tense, peace maintained, 10 people arrested, operation launched for more arrests

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During the demolition operation on railway land in Mumbai’s Bandra area, the situation became tense when a mosque located here was targeted. Muslims protested against the demolition of the mosque and at the same time, the police used light baton charge to disperse the crowd. Local Muslims accused the police of pelting stones at them. A video related to this has also gone viral on social media. An investigation is also underway. So far, the police have arrested 10 accused in the stone-pelting case and a case of attempted murder and rioting has been registered against them.

Tensions flared during the demolition operation in Mumbai’s Bandra East area, when the demolition operation allegedly turned violent, resulting in stone-pelting and clashes with police personnel. Following the incident, the Nirmal Nagar police registered an FIR against 10 identified accused and others under various sections of the BNS and other laws. According to the FIR, the incident took place on May 20 during an operation to remove illegal structures in the Garib Nagar area near Bandra East railway station. The operation was carried out following court orders and instructions regarding the scheduled demolition schedule. The authorities deployed Mumbai Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Home Guards and other personnel during the operation. According to the complaint, when the officials were carrying out the demolition operation, a crowd of about 100 to 150 people gathered at the spot and started protesting. The police authorities allegedly made repeated announcements to the people to disperse peacefully. However, the crowd is said to have become agitated and tried to disrupt the operation. The FIR further claims that some people in the crowd started shouting slogans and are said to have tried to prevent the demolition work by creating unrest. During the chaos, stones and other objects were said to have been hurled at the police and officials present at the spot, which increased tension in the area. Later, the police used mild force to control the situation and detained several people. It is said that several police officials were injured in the incident. The complaint specifically mentions the injuries of police officials and security personnel deployed during the operation. Later, the injured officials were given medical assistance. The police have named 10 accused in the FIR and have framed various charges related to illegal assembly, rioting, preventing government servants from doing their duty, damaging government property and assaulting government servants. The matter is under investigation. Authorities are also examining CCTV footage and other evidence to identify more people allegedly involved in the violence. Security has been increased in the area to ensure that there is no disruption of law and order in the future and no untoward incident occurs. After the stone-pelting incident, an attempt has started on social media to give it a Hindu-Muslim and religious color, which the police are monitoring.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Stone-pelting case registered against police during Bandra mosque demolition, situation peaceful but tension remains, demolition process underway

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Mumbai: The situation became tense after the demolition of a mosque in Mumbai’s Bandra Garib Nagar. After a clash between the police and protesters during the protest against the demolition of the mosque, the police resorted to light lathicharge here, after which the situation came under control, but the tension still persists. The police have detained about 7 to 10 protesters for stone-pelting, while now the situation here is certainly peaceful, but the tension persists. Demolition operations are underway in Bandra under heavy police arrangements. So far, more than 500 huts have been demolished and the settlement has been razed to the ground. The public protested against the BMC bulldozer and the road was blocked. The police closed the road in this area. The situation is now under control. The police said that a case has been registered after the incident of stone-pelting on the police. The police have now also started investigating the matter of stone-pelting and disturbing the situation in public places. The BMC’s action is ongoing. The situation had deteriorated after the demolition of the mosque, but the police have controlled it, which is also causing tension. Liaquat, a worshipper of the mosque, says that the police and BMC have suddenly carried out a demolition operation, while the mosque was not part of the demolition operation, yet it was targeted. Muslims are bound to be angry because the mosque was targeted, but the police started lathicharge on them, while the mosque is old and we used to offer prayers here, so this has deeply shocked us.

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