Vendors, amusement ride owners cry foul after Mumbai police shut Mahim fair despite permit
Mumbai (PTI): Owners of stalls and amusement rides at Mahim Fair in Reti Bunder have claimed huge losses after the Mumbai police shut down the activities in the area a day early despite giving them permission to operate till Sunday.
As per the permission granted by the theatre branch of the Mumbai police, the annual fair could be held in the Reti Bunder area from 10 am to 10 pm from December 27, 2023 till January 7.
The fair draws lakhs of people during the Makhdoom Shah Baba Urs, and owners of stalls and amusement rides claim that they have incurred losses of up to Rs 15 lakh due to the police action on Saturday.
"While the permission on paper is till January 7, it was granted by mistake. The activities at the fair had to be stopped on Saturday, as the Mahim Urs culminated on Friday. We can't permit the stalls and amusement rides to operate at Reti Bunder," a senior police official said.
Owners of stalls and rides have however expressed their displeasure, as they have incurred major losses.
"Despite permission, we were not allowed to operate rides. The police action is biased. We have a right to earn. Why did the department give us permission and is harassing us now?" said Fazil Zubair Khamesha, who operates rides.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
