1. Aarey to Lose 2,646 Trees for Metro Shed
Aarey colony will lose 2,646 trees to the Metro car shed. The Tree Authority (TA) on Thursday gave its approval to the proposal, with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Part (NCP) and nominated members, while the Congress staged a walkout. The Shiv Sena, which had been opposing the proposal, voted against it but was outnumbered. Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray posted a number of tweets, saying the decision showed the government’s stubbornness.
Work on the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro line is under way, but the proposal to build a car shed inside Aarey colony had been meeting with stiff resistance since it will require cutting of 2,232 trees and transplantation of 469.
Source: The Hindu
2. Former NCP MLA Mufti Ismail Joins Aimim
Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Mufti Ismail, who formally joined the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) Thursday along with over 20 party corporators, is likely to be the candidate for the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party from Malegaon in the upcoming Assembly elections. He will face sitting Congress MLA Shaikh Asif on the seat.
Ismail was reportedly “unhappy” over the NCP leadership’s stand on the triple talaq issue, with the party not having “vociferously opposed” the new law in parliament.
Source: The Indian Express
3. Two Years On, Maharashtra Govt Forms Panel to Probe Nashik Illegal Abortion Case
More than two years after an illegal abortion was reported being conducted at Nashik civil hospital, the Maharashtra government on Friday constituted a four-member committee headed by former state DGP Datta Padsalgikar to inquire into the case.
In April 2017, Dr Varsha Lahade, a gynaecologist at the Nashik civil hospital, was accused of having carrying out an abortion on a 24-week-old foetus in March that year. Under existing laws, abortions can’t be carried out beyond the 20-week limit. The gynaecologist and another resident doctor were booked by the Nashik police under sections of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and the IPC.
Source: The Indian Express
4. Protesters in Thane Demand Justice for 7-Year-Old Rape Survivor
Two days after a seven-year-old girl was raped by her neighbour in Manpada, women protested outside the police station demanding a thorough inquiry. Although the police arrested the accused, locals were angry with “the slow-paced investigation”.
Santosh Shinde, 43, works as a labourer in Thane and he will be in police custody till September 4.
Source: Hindustan Times
5. Thane Pandals Opt for Noise-Free Celebrations, Shun Djs, Speakers and Firecrackers
Last year, more than 30 Ganeshotsav pandals across Thane city ensured they celebrated the festival without creating any noise pollution. They seek to follow the same practice this time around as well.
The pandals ensured they avoided the use of speakers, loud music, firecrackers and microphones.
Rakesh Mukkadam, president of the Shree Ganesh Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal in Kasarwadavli, said his group was ensuring a noise-free celebration for the past 12 years. “Since we are based in a cosmopolitan area, we ensure there is no noise pollution,” he said.
Source: Hindustan Times
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