Mumbai: Today, in the Maharashtra Assembly, MLA Abu Asim Azmi raised the issue of law and order and public safety in the state with great seriousness during the session. While participating in the proceedings of the House, MLA Abu Asim Azmi prominently raised the issue of the growing illegal drug trade and the resulting increase in serious crimes in his constituency. He informed the House that drug addiction is not only destroying the younger generation but it has also led to an unprecedented increase in theft, snatching and other crimes, which is creating an atmosphere of insecurity among the local residents.

Terming public safety as the most important, the MLA drew the government’s attention to the imbalance between the existing police system and the population of the area. He said that the population of the region has increased rapidly in recent years, but the police force and resources have not increased in proportion. He urged the government to take immediate action to strengthen the security and safety of lives and property. He demanded that additional police contingents be deployed in the area to deal with the current challenges and increase patrols. He also demanded that new police stations be established keeping in mind the population density and geographical spread, so that the police can respond quickly in emergencies.

Speaking in the House, the MLA clearly stated that he had seriously raised the issue of drug use and the resulting increase in crime in the Assembly today. He further demanded that the government increase the police force keeping in mind the safety of the people and establish new police stations as per the population.

Other members of the House also agreed on this sensitive issue. Considering the seriousness of the issue, the government assured that strict steps are being taken to dismantle the drug network and police stations will be reviewed on the basis of the new population scale to strengthen law and order.

Mumbai: After the death of pedestrian Aslam Sheikh after falling into a manhole on Khairani Road in Sakinaka, Mumbai, the Mumbai Police has registered a case of negligence and carelessness against the contractor. Earlier, the BMC had taken action in this matter and suspended Assistant Municipal Commissioner L. Ward Dhanji Harlekar and three BMC officers Abhijeet Chogle, Deepak Chogle and Uttam Patil. This inquiry has been handed over to the Additional Municipal Commissioner Suburban headed by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. The inquiry report will be submitted in 7 days. Earlier, the BMC has blacklisted the above-mentioned contractor. The repair work of a water drain was underway on Khairani Road within the limits of Sakinaka. A passerby, Aslam Ishaq Sheikh, 55, a resident of Yadav Nagar, Sakinaka, died after falling into an open manhole. In this regard, based on a complaint filed by a BMC officer of L ward, a case has been registered at Sakinaka police station against the contractor and the workers assigned to the repair work. The investigation is underway and no arrest has been made in the case so far, informed DCP Dutta Nalawade here. In this case, it has been found that no safety arrangements were made near the manhole, which is why this tragedy occurred.

Mumbai, July 3: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday accused the BJP of robbing donations from the Ayodhya Ram Temple and announced a statewide agitation beginning with a ‘Ram Raksha’ protest in Mumbai’s Dadar area on July 5.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Matoshree here, Thackeray alleged that the BJP had “robbed” money donated by devotees at the Ram Temple and demanded accountability. He said the protest would be held near the Hanuman Temple at Dadar Kabutarkhana from 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Thackeray extended an open invitation to all citizens, urging them to transcend party lines. “I invite every Hindu who cannot tolerate this theft in the house of Lord Ram. This is for everyone who hasn’t abandoned Hindutva or the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. We will gather to recite the Ram Raksha Stotra, Hanuman Stotra, and Hanuman Chalisa,” he said, adding that he would personally lead the protest alongside top party leaders and Shiv Sainiks.

The aggressive stance comes at a time of intense political turmoil within the Thackeray camp, following successive setbacks including the defection of six party MPs to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the recent exit of close aide Sachin Ahir.

Recalling the history of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Thackeray stated that the BJP’s current political dominance was built on the sacrifices of ordinary Hindus. “The entire country’s Hindu population participated in the movement that built the BJP. We remember the atrocities faced by Karsevaks, the Godhra carnage, the Ahmedabad riots, and what Mumbai endured. Suffering through all of this, Hindus persevered. Capitalising on this, the BJP — which had only two MPs before the movement and followed ‘Gandhian Socialism’ — shifted toward Hindutva and picked up the Ram Mandir issue,” Thackeray said.

The former Maharashtra Chief Minister further alleged that money siphoned from temple donations could be linked to political operations aimed at engineering splits in opposition parties.

“Today, under the BJP regime, the Ram Temple is in the news for all the wrong reasons. Political parties are being engineered to split, lawmakers are being flown to Goa and elsewhere, and horse-trading is disguised under the name of ‘Operations.’ Is the BJP now running an ‘Operation Ram Mandir’? There is evidence that a robbery has taken place at the temple. Some even say this stolen money is being used to split other parties. This is extremely serious,” he said.

Invoking a famous 1990s slogan by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Thackeray issued a stern warning to the ruling party. “Just as Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said, ‘Ab Hindu maar nahi khaayega’ (Now, Hindus will not take beatings), I say, ‘Ab Hindu maaf nahi karega’ (Now, Hindus will not forgive). The Hindu community will show temple looters their rightful place,” Thackeray declared.

Thackeray emphasised that the Dadar agitation is just the beginning of a larger, statewide campaign. Following Sunday’s event, similar protests will be organized across every district, city, and village at local Ram and Hanuman temples, he said.

Noting that the annual Wari (Pandharpur pilgrimage) is underway, Thackeray added that even the Warkaris (pilgrims) harbor deep anger over the alleged temple fraud and will join forces to hold the BJP accountable.