Category Archives: public safety

Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse Tragedy: State Cabinet Accepts Justice Bhosale Committee Report, Orders Action Against Officials

**Mumbai: State Cabinet Accepts Justice Dilip Bhosale Committee Report on Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse**

The Maharashtra state cabinet on Tuesday accepted the report submitted by the Justice Dilip Bhosale committee, which was constituted to investigate the illegal hoarding collapse incident that occurred in Ghatkopar in May last year. The tragic accident claimed 17 lives and left 74 others injured.

### Recommendations Against Officials

The committee’s report recommended action against state officials responsible for permitting the illegal hoarding. In response, the state government’s Action Taken Report (ATR) stated that departmental enquiries (DE) are currently underway against former Government Railway Police (GRP) commissioners Quaisar Khalid and Dr. Ravindra Shisve.

### Formation of the Committee and Action Taken Report

The Ghatkopar tragedy prompted the state government to set up the Justice Bhosale committee, comprising key members including the Director General of Police, Additional Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a structural engineer from IIT Bombay, an Income Tax officer, and a chartered accountant.

The committee submitted its report to the government in May, which was then forwarded to the home department for further action. Subsequently, another committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the home department was formed to examine the report and prepare the ATR.

The ACS committee recommended 21 guiding principles, including establishing a nodal mechanism to take action against unauthorized hoardings. It was emphasized that municipal bodies possess full authority to enforce these measures.

### Guidelines for Hoardings

The report includes detailed recommendations aimed at improving safety and regulatory compliance related to hoardings. Key guidelines suggest that hoardings should not be installed on terraces or compound walls.

Additional considerations cover location-specific hazards, traffic safety, pedestrian convenience—particularly for persons with disabilities—design standards, and environmental impact.

Directions are being issued to the BMC and other civic authorities across Maharashtra to implement these recommendations and action points in the ATR.

### Action Against GRP Officials

The committee recommended disciplinary action against senior railway officers who headed the GRP at the time of the incident.

According to sources, the home department’s ATR confirms that departmental enquiries are underway against both officers, with Quaisar Khalid currently placed under suspension.

### New Regulations on Hoarding Size and Removal

The ATR also introduces strict regulations on hoarding dimensions moving forward. No hoarding exceeding 40 feet by 40 feet will be allowed, with height restrictions set between a minimum of 11 feet and a maximum of 60 feet.

Furthermore, all illegal hoardings across the state will be removed immediately by the relevant civic or local authorities.

To streamline the licensing and permission process, civic authorities will establish an independent agency, with the civic body chief serving as the final authority on approvals.

The ATR also states that civic bodies will initiate action against illegal hoardings and, if necessary, collaborate with police forces to ensure enforcement.

### Committee’s Mandate

The Justice Bhosale committee was specifically tasked with investigating the roles of those responsible for erecting the ill-fated hoarding and the adjacent petrol pump in Ghatkopar.

Its objective was to scrutinize the conduct of GRP officials involved and provide recommendations to prevent any such incidents in the future.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/ghatkopar-hoarding-collapse-tragedy-state-cabinet-accepts-justice-bhosale-committee-report-orders-action-against-officials

Person with disability rescued from swollen river in Maharashtra`s Beed district

A person with a disability was dramatically rescued from a flooded river in Takalsingh village, located in the Ashti tehsil of Maharashtra’s Beed district, amid relentless rainfall on Monday, police said.

The man was spotted being swept away by strong currents near the village, prompting five local youths to spring into action, reported news agency PTI. They tied ropes around their waists and bravely entered the raging waters to pull him to safety, officials confirmed. The man is currently receiving treatment at the Takalsingh Primary Health Centre, according to Head Constable Pravin Kshirsagar.

Heavy and continuous rains have created havoc in the region, severely disrupting connectivity across several villages, including Kada, Khilad, Suleman Devla, Shiral, Devi Nimgaon, and Dhanora. Multiple rivers and streams in the area are in spate, forcing authorities to shut down key bridges, including those on the Kada-Dhamangaon Highway and near Shiral, to prevent accidents, PTI reported.

Rising water levels in the Kada River along the Ahilyanagar-Beed highway have also led to warnings being issued for residents in low-lying areas. Local officials are urging caution as more rain is expected, and rescue teams remain on alert.

### IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Mumbai, Palghar, and Thane as Rains Lash Parts of Maharashtra

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Palghar, and Thane districts in Maharashtra as heavy rains lashed parts of the state.

In a weather bulletin, the IMD predicted, “Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, heavy rainfall and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) at isolated places in Mumbai on September 22.” A similar prediction was made for several parts of Maharashtra, including Thane and Palghar districts.

An orange alert was issued for Nashik, Jalgaon, Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Ahilyanagar districts in Maharashtra, predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places.”

Earlier in the day, the weather department, in its Mumbai weather updates, had forecast a partly cloudy sky for Mumbai city and its suburbs, with the possibility of moderate rainfall. Officials also warned of isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, urging residents to remain cautious, particularly during peak travel hours.

(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/marathwada-rains-person-with-disability-rescued-from-floodwaters-in-beed-23595280

4.3 magnitude earthquake jolts San Francisco area

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 shook the San Francisco area early Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake occurred just east-southeast of Berkeley shortly before 3 a.m. PDT.

Many people reported feeling a sharp shake and receiving phone alerts. It was not immediately known if there were any injuries or significant damage caused by the quake.

This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the information provided. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove content at their absolute discretion, without notice, for any reason whatsoever.

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https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/united-states-news-4-3-magnitude-earthquake-jolts-san-francisco-area-many-people-report-sharp-shake-23595253

Cops find illegal gun stash after arrest over alleged violent attack

Police Seize Illegal Firearms and Charge Two Men Following Assault Investigation

Police have seized a cache of illegal firearms and charged two individuals in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The incident traces back to September 14, when a 45-year-old man was seriously injured after allegedly being assaulted by a man known to him at a residence in Lower Barrington. An official report was made to police on September 17 concerning the assault.

On September 19, law enforcement officers, including specialist units, arrested a 40-year-old man in the Beechford area relating to the assault. He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and has been detained to appear before the Launceston Magistrates Court.

Following the arrest, police conducted a search of a Beechford residence where several illegal firearms were discovered. The items found included:

– A sawn-off shotgun
– A rifle
– Six homemade pistols
– An antique pistol
– Two imitation firearms (gel blasters)
– Two crossbows, one of which was homemade

A 53-year-old man, who was not involved in the assault, was also charged with several firearms-related offences. He has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear before the Launceston Magistrates Court on October 22.

Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer commented on the discovery, stating, “Every illegal firearm in our community is a concern to Tasmania Police, and poses a risk to public safety. Firearms, particularly homemade ones, are unpredictable and extremely dangerous. They pose a significant threat to the community.”

She added, “Police remain committed to removing illegal weapons from our streets, and we urge anyone with information in relation to illicit firearms to help us by providing information.”

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https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/9071817/illegal-firearms-found-after-arrest-over-lower-barrington-assault/?src=rss

Arrests on first day of transit safety initiative ‘no surprise’: Winnipeg police

Winnipeg police say their new transit safety initiative has already borne fruit, with arrests occurring as early as Wednesday—the very day the project was announced.

Officers stationed at the Unicity Transit Hub made two separate arrests on launch day. In one incident, a 37-year-old man was apprehended as he attempted to board a bus to flee with goods stolen from a nearby business. The man was charged with theft under $5,000.

“It comes as no surprise to us,” said Supt. Brian Miln. “There’s a direct link to our transit strategy, as some individuals involved in retail crime use transit as a means to leave the area after committing shoplifting and theft inside retail outlets.”

The second incident involved a report from a transit driver who witnessed a man smash a bus window with his elbow. Police patrolling the hub quickly tracked down the 35-year-old suspect, who was charged with mischief under $5,000.

Additionally, police found flammable liquid and a lighter on the man, items he was banned from possessing under the conditions of a release order. He was subsequently charged with failing to comply with those conditions and taken into custody.

Although the transit safety initiative has only been in place for a few days, Miln said public response has been positive so far. “We’ve had a couple of people reach out to us through various means—emails, phone calls, etc.—who are very pleased to see a police presence on buses, saying the initiative is very welcome and overdue.”

The campaign was launched in response to a record high number of violent crimes recorded on transit buses and around bus shelters last year—more than triple the numbers reported in 2019. Authorities say this troubling trend is continuing.

The ramped-up police presence involves both uniformed and plainclothes officers and will focus on routes and stops flagged as problem areas to enhance safety for transit users.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11436989/winnipeg-transit-police-arrests-day-one/