Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

A farewell programme of retired officials was organized on December 31, 2018 in Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) HQs. On this occasion, Director (Finance) Shri S. M. Choudhary, Director Technical (P&P) Shri Ajit Kumar Choudhary, were prominently present. They extended warm greetings to the retirees and wished them bright future.

Shri Jaydeep Chakravorty, General Manager (Excavation), Shri S.K. Sur, Chief General Manager(E&M), E&M Deptt. Dr. D. K. Mahapatra, Chief Medical Officer, M.R.S. Indora, retired from the services of the Company. Shri A.K. Khan, Sr. Clerk, Welfare Department conducted the programme. Senior officials and large number of employees were present at the function.

Farewell Programme of Retired Officials organized in WCL

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Sheetal Teli-Ugale on Monday took charge as Chairperson of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) as well as Commissioner of Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA).

Sheetal Ugale, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 2009 batch, was Pune’s Additional Municipal Commissioner before being transferred to Nagpur and appointed as the new Chairperson of Nagpur Improvement Trust and Commissioner of Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

Ugale signed the necessary documents at NIT Headquarters and took charge of both the posts. NMRDA’s Additional District Collector Sudhakar Kulmethe, General Manager Ajay Ramteke, NIT’s Superintending Engineer Sunil Gujjelwar, Executive Officer P P Dhankar, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer (NMRDA) Hemant Thakre, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer (NIT) Supriya Jadhav, Town Planning Joint Director R D Landhe and other officials welcomed Ugale by presenting her bouquets.

Sheetal Ugale takes charge as NIT Chairperson, NMRDA Commissioner

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Govt allows 24 hour liquor on New Year eve and also acts against liquor transporters and booze drivers!

Nagpur: Is Maharashtra Government running its affairs solely on liquor revenue? Is the State Government dependent only on booze revenue to pay their bills? These nagging questions and the double standards of the government have left the citizens in severe dilemma.

On one hand the State Government has decided to give permission to hotels and beer bars to run 24 hour on December 31 night as the New Year rings in. On the other hand, cops nab liquor smugglers or booze drivers in special drives. Ostensibly, both the moves are aimed at boosting revenue of State coffers one way or another.

Subsequent to State Government decision, wine shops, beer bars, permit rooms, hotels would be allowed to serve liquor on New Year eve with much ease. A number of hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other establishments have geared up to mop up moolah by organising New Year bash in their own ways. Liquor will be served at premium on this day. No need to guess on this count. However, police have said that despite the State Government’s decision of permitting to run the hotels through the night on December 31, these establishments will have to first seek police permission.

The ground reality though is different, with State Government probably having a vested interest in doing quite the reverse, given the extent of their dependence on liquor as revenue sources. The State Government is increasingly relying on alcohol revenue to pay their bills. Roughly one-fifth of most State Government budget is funded by booze. And, that share is going up by the year.

On the other hand, the city and district police have decided to deploy around 11,000 officials and personnel to crack down on booze revellers and liquor transporters.

Ostensibly, both the moves of State Government have been aimed at mopping up revenue in crores. But the pertinent question pricking the citizens is: Is the State Government becoming more and more dependent on alcohol revenue to pay their bills? The increasing consumption of alcohol will only fuel this dependence.

Then why the crack down on booze consumers and transporters on New year eve? After Christmas, posses of policemen lay in ambush around wine shops, beer bars and other establishments serving liquor. The cops nab drunken drivers or liquor transporters and then recover hefty amounts, sometimes to fill their own pockets and sometimes to fill State coffers!

One can understand police cracking the whip on spurious liquor mafia who are now active in city. Recently, cops had intercepted a tipper truck transporting liquor bottles that were filled in a den in Dhantoli area. The vehicle was intercepted by a night patrol team in front of office of Balbharti near Dhantoli Garden on December 16. The vehicle was loaded with liquor cartons many having well-known brands. Subsequently, Dhantoli cops had arrested two brothers in aftermath of unearthing of a liquor unit where local liquor was repackaged in bottles of branded companies and sold in market.

Is State Govt solely dependent on liquor revenue to run its affairs?

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: As the sunset heralded beginning of New Year, the Orange City decked up to welcome 2019 in style. Not deterred by shivering conditions, hundreds of youngsters hit the streets and thronged their favourite places to celebrate the moments with full of fun. The greetings of Happy New Year reverberated at every corner of the city.

The scenic Futala Lake came alive with the rush of revellers in colourful and vivid attires. The hopping and dancing with broad smiles heralded the New Year revelry.

City police have made elaborate arrangements for crowd control and traffic management with close eye on drunken driving. The stone-faced cops offered roses to a number of by-passers and road users and greeted them Happy New Year with a smile. Security was tight at sensitive places. Some enthusiasts held placards with messages such as “Durgathana Se Der Bhali,” “Follow Traffic Rules,” “Accident Free Person, Accident Free Family.”

Orange City goes colourful, vivid as New Year revelry begins

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: One more tigress was found dead in Umrer Paoni-Karhandla (UPK) Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday morning. On Sunday, carcass of a male tiger was found in the same sanctuary.

Following the finding of male tiger’s carcass, a team of Forest Department was on patrol on Monday and they spotted the carcass of a tigress at the same spot. The tigress has been identified as T-4 and the age of the tigress is between 6-7 years. Near the spot, a wild boar was also found dead.

Forest officials suspect that both tigers died due to eating of poison-laced meat of wild boar. The wild boar could have been poisoned to deter it from entering nearby farms. A committee was formed to investigate deaths of two tigers. Apparently, there were no injury marks on the body to indicate any territorial fight or any other injury.

No body part was found missing. The surrounding area of the sanctuary has been known for unnatural deaths in the past too. Considering this history, the forest department will be looking into all aspects of the case.

One more tigress found dead in Umrer Paoni-Karhandla Sanctuary

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: High drama prevailed in Shastri Sindhi Hindi Pathshala, Mekosbagh on Friday morning, when family members of a student thrashed a teacher for allegedly beating him.

The accused has been identified as Santosh Prajapati (40) resident of Goa Colony Slums, Sadar.

As per the details, a 31-year-old teacher, Rahul Suresh Kshirsagar resident of Plot. No. 46, Welekar Nagar, Manewada road had slapped a boy because he was being indisciplined in the class. However, the boy had called his father, Santosh and his kin to school. They all reportedly called the complainant out of the class and thrashed him inside the school premises. When other teachers tried to intervene them, the family members also thrashed and threatened them of dire consequences.

Subsequently, accompanied with school staff Shirsagar rushed to Jaripatka police station and filed a complaint agianst the accused family.

Jariptaka police has registred a case under section 453, 353, 143, 149, 427, 323, 504, 506 (B) of IPC and started the probe.

Kin thrashes teacher over beating student in Jaripatka

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) at Wardha has admitted a case of objectionable advertising against four brands of Patanjali vegetable oils, as the company is claiming that the oils are cholesterol-free and zero cholesterol on the packaging labels. The hearing in the case will be held in front of the adjudication official (joint commissioner FDA), and if the charges are proved, the company can be find Rs10 lakh in each case. In a similar case, the FDA has also issued a notice to Emami.

“All brands in Nagpur division are under scanner. FDA will take strict action against all manufacturers of brands making such false claims. Consumers are being taken for a ride,” said Joint FDA commissioner SK Kekare. “The market is flooded with many such oils. Their labels carry similar claims. Hence, the FDA has started this drive against all such oil companies. All of them claim that their oils are either cholesterol-free, have zero cholesterol or reduce the cholesterol etc. But the truth is that no vegetable based oil can actually have any cholesterol.

Cholesterol is present only in animal based products like dairy products, meat etc. Thus all these misleading advertising advertisements actually seem to be cheating and fooling customers,” said Raviraj Dhabarde, Food Safety Officer, who is handling the case. The four Patanjali products for which he FDA has raised the objection are Refined Soyabean Oil, Refined Sunflower Oil, Patanjali Virgin Sesame Oil, Patanjali Extra Virgin Groundnut Oil.

GB Gore, assistant commissioner (Food) of FDA at Wardha, told sources that action is being taken under section 2.4.2 (1) Packaging and Labelling rules as labelling likes cholesterol free, zero cholesterol, double refined, triple refined, cholesterol friendly labelling has been banned. “This is necessary to give equal opportunity to all sellers. FDA had given notice to Patanjali to justify their claims but we didn’t get any satisfactory reply from them. Such claims not just mislead customers but also create fear of cholesterol among them. The manufacturers take advantage of this fear and make such false claims, ” said Gore.

Cholesterol Free Oil- Patanjali found cheating consumer, FDA admits case

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Amid dazzling musical events, eye catching Arial, Fire and Fashion shows Nagpurians ringed in 2019 in a dazzling night called ‘Bollyboom New Year Eve 2019’ at The Amaze Farm, 326, Gondkhairi on Amravati Road.

The grand event was presented by Kingfisher Storm-Strong Soda and managed by Rhyming Blue.

The gathering were overwhelmed as renowned musical stars, enlighten the night with their shine.

The extravaganza featuring DJ Montz, Akansha, Antron, DJ Shubham, DJ Pritz, Afterlyf and Ankit captured the heart of revellers on this occasion.

With live music, DJ, dance parties the night was still alive for many who were enjoying on every bit of music.

Bollyboom New Year Eve welcomes 2019 on ‘Amaze’ing note

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In a grand gesture to mark New Year celebration, a group of youngsters warmed the hearts of poor and needy people by distributing them blankets and fruits in the premises of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

As the city is in grip of cold wave, the group of youngsters provided blankest to the needy and poor people who were sleeping under the moon on a shivering night on New Year eve outside the GMCH. Similarly, the good samaritans distributed fruits the next morning.

At a time when most of youths celebrated the New Year revelry at dazzling places, this group of youngsters including Mayur Marathe, Rajesh Khandare, Sanjay Patel, Kunal Mourya, Kunal Renge, Tanmay, Sidharth Mishra, Swapnil Naranje, Dheeraj, Sachin Thakur, Pankaj, Ashish, Pravin, Kartik, and Pournima believed in charity and served the needy and poor people.

Talking to Nagpur Today, Kunal Mourya said that Mayur Marathe had started this charitable venture five years back. Since then people started joining the good deed voluntarily. Such kind of warm gesture sends a positive message to society who in turn could embark on such ventures in coming days, Kunal Mourya said.

Warm gesture: Group of youngsters distribute blankets, fruits at GMCH to mark New Year celebration

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In view of Maharashtra Government declaring drought in 151 Talukas and the subsequent decision to waive off educational fees in the districts hit by the natural calamity, the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has issued a notification and informed all affiliated colleges and institutes about waiver of fees. The RTMNU notification contains all details of regarding waiver of fees. The colleges and institutes have been directed not to recover fees from the eligible students and send their applications to the university.

The RTMNU has clarified that those students who have already availed 100 percent concession in fees will not be eligible of waiver of fees in the drought affected areas. Similarly, those students who arte appearing in exams second time will also not get the waiver benefit. The students whose parents reside in cities and own houses will also be out of ambit of this scheme, the RTMNU notification said.

“We have decided to waive off educational fees of farmers’ children upto standard 12 in the districts affected by drought”, State Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said. He said similarly children of farmers in the drought hit areas studying engineering and medicine will get 50 per cent concession in their fees.

Maharashtra Government declared drought in 151 talukas in the state. The government said that out of 151 talukas, 112 have been hit by severe drought while moderate drought has hit 39 talukas in 26 districts of the state. Out of 26 drought-hit districts, eight are from Vidarbha and Marathwada each, five are from North Maharashtra, four are from Western Maharashtra and one from Konkan region.

Fees of students in drought-hit areas to be waived off, RTMNU issues notification

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In a jolt to city police, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court upheld the order of acquittal passed by the Special Judge of MCOCA Court, Nagpur, thereby acquitting Santosh Ambekar and his aides Nilesh Kedar and Mahendra Bhure under Sections 307, 120-B of the IPC and Section 3 of MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act).

The division bench consisting of Justices P N Deshmukh and Swapna Joshi gave the ruling upholding acquittal of Ambekar and his two aides under the stringent MCOCA.

According to the prosecution, Santosh Ambekar was facing prosecution under MCOCA before the Special Court, Nagpur and the injured Ramnik bhai Parekh was one of the witnesses in the said case. In order to prevent Ramnikbhai Parekh from deposing in the trial, Santosh Ambekar, while in jail, hatched conspiracy with one Vinod Chamat who too was lodged in Nagpur prison in connection with another case. Vinod Chamat, after being released from jail, gave contract to one Binu Sharma and Mahendra Bhure to kill Ramnikbhai.

On 6/7/2002, when Ramnikbhai Parekh was proceeding in a Maruti van along with his sons Kamlesh and Bharat, near Kasturchand Park, Binu Sharma fired upon Ramnikbhai Parekh. In the firing, Ramnikbhai and his sons had sustained injuries. On his complaint, offence under Sections 307, 34 of the IPC was registered against unknown persons by Sitabuldi Police Station. During the course of investigation, the police had unearthed the conspiracy and arrested Santosh Ambekar and his nephew Nilesh Kedar, Binu Sharma, and Mahendra Bhure. Vinod Chamat was absconding. To prove charges, the prosecution had examined 15 witnesses. The trial court after appreciating the evidence had acquitted all the accused by observing that their involvement was not proved beyond doubt.

The State had challenged the acquittal. While arguing for respondents accused, Advocate R K Tiwari argued that there was no iota of evidence against the accused persons. The prosecution could not prove that Santosh Ambekar had hatched conspiracy to kill Ramnikbhai Parekh and in pursuance to the said conspiracy, Binu Sharma had fired upon Ramnikbhai Parekh. The evidence brought on record was innocuous to prove the guilt of the accused and therefore no fault can be found with the order of the trial court. Accepting the submissions of defence counsel, the High Court dismissed the appeal of the State.

Adv R K Tiwari represented the accused while the State was represented by APP Deshmukh.

High Court upholds acquittal of Santosh Ambekar, two aides in MCOCA case

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: With city police busy curbing traffic violators on the roads, some antisocial elements managed to pull off the misdeeds within city limits on New Year’s Eve as one murder and several attempt to murders were reported under the jurisdiction of Imamwada and MIDC police station.

In first incident reported under the jurisdiction of MIDC police, the duo who had sought permission to dance in the DJ, were thrashed with wooden sticks, bricks and stones in Rajeev Nagar.

As per the details, Ranjeet alias Ladi Ramprasad Dhynaneshwar (19) and his friend Sunny alias Nassu wanted to dance in a DJ party organized by Kale family. However when Sachin Ramesh Kale tried to stop the duo, a brawl broke among them. Subsequently Govardhan (23) and Shankar Lala Raut (19), Nitesh and Mangesh Ramesh Kale along with Umadas Lihare (20) all resident of same locality picked up wooden sticks, bricks and stones nearby and attacked both Ranjeet and Sunny.

All the accused thrashed in such a brutal way that Ranjeet, succumbed to his injuries on the spot where Sunny were rushed to nearby hospital in critical condition.

MIDC police have booked all the accused under section 143, 147,149,302,307 of IPC and started the probe.

In second and third case reported under the jurisdiction of Imamwada police station, Shubham alias Circuit Tayde (20), Mukul alias Titya Padole (19), Girish Deorao Wasnik (30), Rishikesh Uikey (22) and thier two accomplices accosted and thrashed complainant Akshay Lekhram Waghmare (19) resident of Indira Nagar, Jat Tarodi with weapons and sticks over old dispute. With severe head and chest injuries, Akshay was rushed to nearby hospital.

Earlier, the same accused had assaulted brother sister duo and third friends in the same locality. MIDC police have booked all the accused under relevant sections and started the probe.

31st Night : Murder, bloody brawls mar New Year Eve

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

After serving city police for 10 glorious years, Surya gave a last salute to top cop at farewell function

Nagpur: Surya, the super sniffer sleuth of Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad (BDDS) of Nagpur Police, was accorded a grand as well as teary farewell on his retirement from service. After serving the BDDS for 10 glorious years, Surya gave a last salute to Commissioner of Police Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay at a New Year eve function on Monday in the presence top brass of city police.

It was an emotional moment for Head Constable Sunil Kakde, the handler of sniffer Surya, a black Labrador. The stone-faced Sunil Kakde could hardly control his tears when the top cop Dr Upadhyay honoured Surya with a floral bouquet and a gift packet which he and co-handler accepted on behalf of the super sniffer at the farewell function held at the lawns in the premises of the Office of Commissioner Police. Along with Surya, 11 police personnel, who retired from the service, were also accorded the traditional farewell. Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Kadam, Additional Commissioner of Police B G Gaykar and all Deputy Commissioners of Police were present on the occasion.

But the Head Constable Sunil Kakde would not miss his darling Surya as he was allowed to adopt the dog after its retirement. A recipient of 35 prizes, Surya was inducted into the police force in January 2008 after being fully trained as a detection dog. Surya had given its services for VVIP security and was also deployed in Maoist-hit Gadchiroli, Gondia and Bhandara districts during Assembly and Lok Sabha polls and even during Winter Sessions of State Legislature in the city.

Seven years ago, police received reports that explosives were planted in Kalmeshwar area and explosions had killed several cattle. BDDS pressed Surya into service and it detected as many as eight live grenades spread in one kilometre area. The BDDS then had successfully defused the grenades.

In 2013, Surya detected gelatine sticks hidden in Bazargaon area. Police availed the dog’s services whenever unclaimed bags were found at public places, including railway station, resulting in bomb scare. Police and public heaved a sigh of relief after Surya signalled nothing dangerous. Surya was active 24/7 in the service of the nation.

Patting the sniffer dog, the Commissioner of Police Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay said, “Our brave officer ‘Surya’ helped us crack many complicated cases. Nagpur police will miss him.

In the BDDS, one’s life is always at risk but Surya never hesitated to perform his duty the risks notwithstanding.

Super sniffer sleuth Surya of BDDS accorded grand farewell on retirement

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Indigenisation Conference INDICON 2018 was held at Headquarters, Maintenance Command, Vayusena Nagar on December 18 and 19 2018. As part of the conclave, an indigenisation fair with participation of vendors and defence suppliers was held on December 19. The conference and fair was inaugurated by Air Marshal Hemant Sharma, Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Vishist Seva Medal, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Maintenance Command and attended by Senior Officers of Headquarters Maintenance Command and Indigenisation Officers from various Base Repair Depots of the Air Force.

In his inaugural address, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Maintenance Command brought out the challenges in maintenance of legacy fleets and systems of the IAF and exhorted the Base Repair Depots to innovate and use their collective wisdom in executing indigenisation projects. He stated that the indigenisation agency, production agency and certification agencies need to maintain synergy so as to correctly identify the indigenisation needs of weapon platforms and systems.

As part of the conference, guest lectures by specialists in the fields of corrosion prevention, Airworthiness certification, financial planning and Naval HQ were also organised. The indigenisation fair witnessed fruitful and extensive deliberation between the defence suppliers and the IAF. These interactions have helped in clarification of issues in indigenous development and resulted in an increased synergy between the suppliers and the IAF.

The fair was visited by students of VNIT, Ramdeobaba College of Engineering, Priyadarshini College of Engineering and NCC Cadets of Maharashtra Air Squadron.

Indigenisation Conference INDICON 2018 held HQMC, Vayusena Nagar

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: City’s renowned paediatrician Dr Uday Bodhankar was conferred with the highest GAPIO Academic Leadership Award during Global Health Care Summit 2018 held recently at Mumbai. The event was inaugurated by President of India Ram Nath Kovind in the presence of Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Dr Bodhankar received the award from Padmabhushan Dr Pratap Reddy. The summit was also graced by AAPI USA President Dr Naresh Parekh and GAPIO (Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) Dr Ramesh Mehta, UK.

This Global Leadership Award has been bestowed on Dr Bodhankar for his extraordinary contribution and achievement in the field of Paediatric Medicine at national as well as international level for the welfare of paediatric fraternity and newborn child health. He has been instrumental in bringing international level post graduate courses in Paediatric from Australia and UK at affordable cost.

Dr Bodhankar has recently been honoured with Lifetime Achievement award from NARCHI and Indian Academy of Paediatrics in recognition of his selfless children welfare services. He has been awarded highest fellowship from the prestigious Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH).

Dr Bodhankar gets GAPIO Academic Leadership Award

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar has suspended health inspector of Nehru Nagar zone Madan Nagpure for not wearing GPS-enabled wrist watch during duty hours. A departmental inquiry has also been started against Nagpure. Additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi on Monday issued suspension order to Nagpure citing dereliction of duty. NMC health department officials said Bangar observed Nagpure was not wearing the watch during his visit to Sakkardara lake.

NMC in association with NGOs and social organizations had launched a drive to clean Sakkardara lake. Bangar and BJP city president and South Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Kohle were on a visit to the lake. Nagpure failed to give a proper reply about number of workers deployed for cleaning the lake. Then, Bangar got angry and asked the health department officials to inform him about Nagpure’s workings. After a report from the department, Bangar directed Joshi to suspend Nagpure.

This is the first stringent action by Bangar since he joined in November 2018. Health officer (sanitation) Dr Sunil Kamble told TOI stringent action will be taken against workers not wearing the watches. “NMC has linked the payment module of workers with these watches. There are some problems with the system related to the watches. Locations of some watches are not shown properly in the system. Location of some watches is shown in foreign countries.

Directives have been given to the private agency that operates the system to correct the flaws,” he said. Kamble also said monitoring system of workers will be installed at the office of civic chief soon. At present, zonal officers of ten zones are monitoring the location of workers through the watches. NMC had launched the system in April last year to keep watch on sanitary workers and inspectors, who are directly responsible for cleanliness of the city. Watches have been distributed to 8,000 workers. The civic body is paying monthly rent of Rs207 to the private agency for operation and maintenance of the system. The contract has been given for eight years.

Health inspector suspended for not wearing GPS watch

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Representational Pic

Nagpur: A two-day national convention of scheduled castes wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be held in the city on January 19-20. BJP national president Amit Shah will be present for the event that will end with a public rally at Kasturchand Park .

At a meeting held last week to finalize the arrangements, various committees were formed to organize the convention, where around 5,000 people including MPs, MLAs, party functionaries from across the country are expected to participate. Vasantrao Deshpande hall and its premises would be named Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Samata Parisar, and would be the main venue for the event.

State power minister and guardian minister of city Chandrashekhar Bawankule would head the reception committee while other committees would be headed by city president Sudhakar Kohale, Pravin Datke, Ashok Mendhe and Dharmapal Meshram. With general elections to be held early next year, the convention would have added significance as it would seek to rally the depressed sections of the society.

Early this month RPI faction leader Prakash Ambedkar had held a major public rally in the city and warned the BJP that in 2019 elections it would be reduced to a party with MPs in double digits. The BJP national convention of SC groups is expected to neutralize this threat from the Dalit parties.

BJP’s national SC meet in city on Jan 19

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: Senior PI Vijay Talware, and two constables, Vyankat Ganthale and Sukhdeo Wathane, of Beltarodi police station were injured after their police jeep was rammed by a truck at Parsodi in the early hours of Tuesday during patrolling and nakabandi exercises.

The others in the vehicle were miraculously not injured despite the huge impact left by the truck driven by a man under the influence of alcohol. Police said PI Talware, who was on night duty, was supervising surveillance and checking within his limits as the city welcomed the New Year. A truck, which was coming from the direction of Wardha, collided with the police vehicle. The impact of the hit was such that the police vehicle suffered severe damage in the front portion.

The three injured cops were rushed to Orange City Hospital and Research Centre for medical assistance. The driver of the truck, Manohar Pache, was arrested before being charged with rash and negligent driving. He was also booked for driving under the influence of alcohol. In an earlier incident, head constable Hemraj Dhopte was injured during nakabandi near Mihan flyover a few days back. He too was admitted to Orange City Hospital with three fractures in the right leg.

Senior PI among three cops injured in accident

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: The New Year celebration might have been in high spirits but not so high when it came to business in city bars and permit rooms. Thanks to the intense checking spree by the traffic cops against drink and drive, the tipplers avoided visiting the bars on New Year Eve as well as on the first day of 2019, to escape any confrontation with the breath analyzers.

While almost all the bars and drinking places remained measly attended on 31st night, the situation was no different on January 1. The business took a heavy toll as the bar owners had made extra arrangements at their place to accommodate the rush. “Leave aside the rush, we did not even get the regular visitors who often come on normal days. No body wants to get caught on the wrong end of the law. So less visitors resulted into dull business which hugely affected the government revenues,” said a bar owner.

Insiders informed that the traffic department had set the target of few crores to be collected as fine and deployed the cops at all possible places in order to keep an eagle’s eye on the violators. The tipplers were seen hiding from the cops who made sure that no violator leave without challan. However, the traffic department’s gain was far less than the excise department’s loss. Excise revenues coming through bars and permit rooms certainly took a big blow on its face. While New Year remains the top business occasion for Excise department, the situation was not so enthusiastic this year. Most of the bars kept waiting for the customers till late night but the crowd was significantly thin as compared to what they receive on regular days.

Traffic department sources however justified the action saying that apart from revenue collection, people’s safety was also a major concern. “Driving under the influence takes heavy toll every year, especially during this period. And it is our job to ensure people reach home safely”, quips the official.

When quizzed on the low business in bars, he said, “One should understand that we have not banned entry in bars. It’s just that one should either take a cab or driver along if they wish to drink at the bar. Drinking and driving is clearly not a safe idea.”

Uber, Ola made the kill
Taking advantage of the situation app based cab aggregators Uber and Ola made windfall gains by hiking their fare almost 4 times in the name of surge. So a normal Rs 100-150 fare eventually turned into Rs 350-400. It rocketed to as high as Rs 1200 on few routes not exceeding 10 kms. The fares remained on higher side right from the 31st evening and also showed upwards trend on January 1, 2019 too.

New Year : Tipplers remain away from bars, thanks to traffic drive

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur: In an appalling incident that has came to the fore, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly molested, abused and blackmailed by a youth between Dec 9 and 31st after she refused to entertain him. The accused threatened the girl that he would circulate the pictures she took with her classmate if she didn’t pay him money.

The accused has been identified as Mohan (20).

As per details, Mohan had proposed the survivor but she rejected his advances. Angered over the girl’s refusal, the accused started threatening survivor of circulating her pictures and demanded Rs 500. The accused also threatened her with dire consequences and told her that he would kill her parents.

However the frightened girl revealed the truth to her parents and subsequently they approached Dhantoli police station.

Dhantoli police have registered a case under section 354 (A) (D) 384, 506 of IPC and sub-section POSCO Act 2012 and started the probe.

Minor girl molested, blackmailed in Dhantoli