20160211 India Minor fire at Deonar again
India Feb 11 2016 “Other”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Minor fire at Deonar again
Updated: 2016-02-11-20:39
A minor fire once again broke out at the Deonar dump site on Thursday while the BMC was carrying out a massive demolition action of illegal slums and godowns situated on the periphery of dumping ground in a six-hour drive. However the fire was doused within a few minutes by the fire engines stationed near the dumping ground.
The local BMC ward office in a two day drive was seen demolishing close to 300 slums and godowns. There were 104 structures which were demolished on Wednesday and another 163 demolished on Friday. However at several spots the civic officials met with sever resistance as well and additional police force was called for.
While the demolition drive was on the officials noticed smoke coming out of the Rafiq nagar side of the dumping ground. Civic officials suspect that the fire could be on account of the demolition action which the BMC has been carrying out. Chief Fire officer P. Rahangdale said that the fire brigade engines which they have already stationed at the site responded promptly and doused the fire. The action against the encroachments would continue said the local ward officials. The assistant municipal commissioner Kiran Dighavkarfrom the M-east ward office said, “We have removed the encroachments around the periphery of the dump site to a large extent. However action would continue as there are structures which are yet left to be removed. There was severe resistance from the local residents in the area which we faced as well.”
Meanwhile the rag pickers from the area were seen crying foul against the demolition action. Shalini Kamble, one of the ragpickers said that they find it difficult to understand why the BMC targets them always. “How would we benefit by lighting a fire at the dump spot? Picking up the garbage and sorting it is our only means of income. With this fire the BMC has completely restricted our entry into the dumping ground and now and now have even come and demolished our homes,” said Kamble. The massive demolition action near the Deonar dumping ground comes in the backdrop of the recent fire which ragged from January 28 till February 5.
Web Source: THE TIMES OF INDIA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Minor-fire-at-Deonar-again/articleshow/50949604.cms