Maharashtra
Navi Mumbai: Houses Under PM Awas Yojana Built On Mangrove Zones, Greens Complain To PM Modi

The houses built by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) under Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Navi Mumbai have violated the environmental conditions and mangrove buffer zones, Green groups have complained to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PMAY projects, particularly in Mansarovar and Kharghar, areas have come up in proximity of mangroves, mudflats and inter-tidal wetlands, the complaint filed by NatConnect Foundation on PMO Public Grievance website, said.
The status report on the website says the complaint has been referred to the Director in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Arvind Kumar Agrawal. NatConnect attached the recent Google Earth picture and actual ground photographs to fortify its case.
“The compound wall of the Kharghar project, on the northern side of the railway station, almost touches the mangroves with the distance between the sea plants and the project being 8 metres to 25 metres,” Director of the NatConnect Foundation, B N Kumar said and argued that this is in violation of both the central and state clearances given for the projects.
When contacted, a senior CIDCO official said, “We have not defied any CRZ norms since we received environmental clearance for the project on July 8, 2020. It is on the basis of transit-oriented development (TOD). The work on the project started in November, 2020 and was delayed a bit due to Covid-19 pandemic. The revised date of completion of the project is 2025.”
Providing details of the project, the official said the project is RERA registered having 17 towers with 2BHK flats consisting of RERA carpet area of 47.277 sq mtr. The beneficiaries of the apartments would be decided through a lottery system or as per the decision of the management.
The environmental clearance summary, issued by the MoEF&CC clearly stated that no mangroves should be affected during construction of the entire project and that the 50-meter buffer line has to be maintained. There is supposed to be thick vegetation of tall trees with foliage along the buffer line to mitigate any fugitive dust emission etc. towards the mangrove area.
The 143rd meeting of the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) held on February 4, 2020 clearly noted that the projects were partly under CRZ1 and hence CIDCO was prohibited from doing any construction in the 50 mtr mangrove buffer zone and to maintain a 100 mtr CRZ setback for the creek. “However, the Kharghar project presents a worrying scene as the PMAY buildings have come up in the danger line,” Kumar said.
Jyoti Nadkarni of Kharghar Hills and Wetland Forum said, “The compound wall will push the high tide line towards the Panvel creek and this is bound to cause flooding in other areas as water finds its own course and does not go by CIDCO walls.”
“What is even more shocking is that the urban planners in all their wisdom appear to be constructing housing colonies into the sea at a time when the rising sea levels has become a major global concern,” she added.
The environmental clearances have been given post the state mangrove cell visits and with conditions that the mangrove zones should not be impacted. The environmentalists, therefore, call for a thorough on-the-spot inquiry and taking measures to save the people and properties.
“Afterall, it is the tax-payers’ hard earned money that goes as subsidies into the PMAY project,” NatConnect said and offered to accompany the probe teams and point out the violations.
Maharashtra
Police are busy removing loudspeakers from mosques under pressure from Kirit Somaiya, a case will be registered against Kirit Somaiya for spreading religious hatred: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi, while addressing a press conference of the Federation of Mosques at the Marathi Patrikar Singh in Mumbai, said that the country will run on the Constitution and the Bombay High Court’s decision against all religious places and the principles of noise pollution, but under the guise of this, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya is targeting only Muslims and claiming to remove loudspeakers from mosques. He is constantly putting pressure on the police, therefore, a case has been demanded to be registered against him on charges of creating hatred between two communities, spoiling the environment and spreading religious hatred. Otherwise, the court will also be approached to register a case so that a case can be registered against him as soon as possible. Abu Asim Azmi said that the local Hindus have no objection to the call to prayer and the loudspeakers of mosques, but action is being taken on the complaint of some mischievous elements.
The environment is being spoiled only for the sake of vote bank. Removing the loudspeakers of mosques poses a threat to law and order. Therefore, the police should also pay attention to this because in Mumbai too, a conspiracy is being hatched to create division between Hindus and Muslims and spread religious hatred. He said that an example of how religious hatred is being spread in Maharashtra and communalism is on the rise is that a student in Kokan did not raise the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad but his house was razed to the ground. If someone insults Chhatrapati Maharaj, then RR Patil had talked about bringing James Lennon from America. He said that removing loudspeakers from mosques is illegal, a nation is being targeted. Bhajan singing continues throughout the night in UP. Why is no action taken against it? Under pressure from BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, the police is forced to remove the loudspeakers of the mosque. A case should be registered against Kirit Somaiya because he is trying to spoil the atmosphere by promoting communalism. It is demanded from the Police Commissioner that he should not allow the removal of the loudspeakers of the mosques because they use loudspeakers within the legal framework.
Advocate Khalid said that the action is underway on the loudspeakers of mosques. The Bombay High Court had given a decision in which guidelines were issued. A new petition was filed in the High Court in which the Jago Nehru Nagar petition was filed. In this, the court has referred to the decision issued in 2016, in which guidelines were set. It has identified all the things. Whatever decision has been issued regarding noise pollution, the High Court has said in its order that all noise pollution has been banned in religious ceremonies. This decision has not been implemented for any single religion. In this decision, the court reviewed the interim order. The court has observed that permission is required before using loudspeakers. Decibels have also been fixed. When the mosque sought permission for loudspeakers, they were given permission. In both the decisions, the structure of the loudspeakers has not been fixed. Box type is being allowed, which is not included in the High Court decision. If the speakers installed in the mosque protest against noise pollution, then action will be taken against them.
A warning should be given on the first complaint, a notice for the second time, and a fine and action is available for the third time. It is also necessary to run an awareness campaign regarding noise pollution. No single religion has been targeted, it is applicable to all religions. Advocate Yousuf Abrahani said that due to the provocation of Kirit Somaiya, a conspiracy has started to spoil the atmosphere. The police are now going to every mosque and harassing the preachers, imams and trustees of the mosques. The law is the same and equal for all religions, but why is the law being used only on Muslims? This matter will soon be referred to the court. The beer bar’s license is until 12 o’clock, but the bar remains open all night. The police do not take action on this, but they get a salary from here, so the police are silent and take action only on mosques.
Maharashtra
Police on High Alert for Bakra Eid: Action Against Communal Elements, Says Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre

Mumbai: As Bakra Eid approaches, the Thane police have heightened vigilance against communal elements and initiated actions to curb any attempts to disturb peace. In a press briefing, Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order during this festive period. He stated that strict enforcement of the prohibition on cow slaughter in Maharashtra is mandatory, and violators will face severe consequences.
To ensure a peaceful environment, the police have increased patrolling in sensitive areas, including Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Rabodi, Bhiwandi, and Mumbra, which have significant Muslim populations. Dumbre mentioned that additional deployment of forces will be in place during Bakra Eid and other festivities in the region.
The police commissioner emphasized that adherence to the guidelines set forth by the Municipal Corporation during the festival is essential. In collaboration with community leaders and scholars, the police have held meetings to ensure communal harmony. The Qureshi community reassured the police that they will refrain from sacrificing prohibited animals, underscoring a commitment to following the law.
To facilitate the arrival and purchase of goats before Eid, the police have stepped up patrols to prevent any potential difficulties. Precautionary measures have also been established to safeguard livestock traders from harassment. It is mandatory for goats and sacrificial animals to be air-tagged, which will only occur after a veterinary examination.
Commissioner Dumbre reiterated that Islam is a religion of peace and that fostering communal harmony is crucial during this time. In light of the upcoming festivities, the police have issued an alert within the police commissionerate. Special arrangements will be made at Eidgahs and mosques during Bakra Eid. He urged Muslims to conduct their rituals with dignity by avoiding the display of bloodied clothing and weapons and to transport meat discreetly in sealed bags or containers.
The police’s proactive stance aims to ensure that Bakra Eid is celebrated peacefully while upholding the laws of the state. Community cooperation and adherence to regulations will be key in making this festive season a harmonious occasion in Mumbai.
In Maharashtra, there is a complete ban on cow slaughter, and necessary instructions have been given to the police regarding this. Strict action will be taken against anyone who violates this ban. It was stated that cleanliness is half of faith, so during the process of sacrifice, waste and other items should be packed in bags and disposed of in bins, adhering to the guidelines and Islamic methods for sacrifice. The police commissioner advised that photos and videos of the sacrifice process should not be taken, as many people upload these images and videos on social media, which may hurt the religious sentiments of others and pose a risk of spreading religious hatred. The police commissioner urged Muslims to avoid such actions.
Maharashtra
Special Court Denies Bail To Gangster Chhota Rajan In 2005 Arms Recovery Case

Mumbai: The special court for the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), hearing the cases against incarcerated gangster Chhota Rajan, has refused to grant him bail in a 2005 case of recovery of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition. The court noted that the trial would be over in a few months, and at this juncture, his request cannot be considered.
As per the prosecution, Rajan and his close aide Bharat Nepali had imported a container consisting of 27 drums of grease from Bangkok, and one of them was found to conceal 34 revolvers, three pistols, a silencer, and 1,283 live cartridges. This came to light with the arrest of Nepali’s henchman Mukund Patel, who on May 21, 2005, was found with a revolver with two live rounds in the vicinity of Lata Bar and restaurant near Kandivali (W) railway station.
During interrogation about the source, he had revealed it was part of the consignment ordered by Rajan and Nepali. Later, Patel guided the investigating team to the Nhava Sheva Port, where the drum with the weapons was. It was revealed that the consign – ment had reached Mumbai on May 18, 2005, and the same was also cleared by Customs officers.
While seeking bail, Rajan’s lawyer contended that he had been falsely implicated and that he had already suffered incarceration of nearly 10 years after his arrest in the case in November 2015. The plea was opposed by the prosecution on the ground that there is enough evidence against Rajan. He contended that the officer who had interrogated Rajan had identified his voice in an intercepted audio recorded in September 2005.
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