Politics begin; Shiv Sena, MNS want investigation
The environment minister Ramdas Kadam has demanded for an inquiry by the forest department into the incident.
Mumbai: Raising doubts over the fire at Aarey Colony, the Shiv Sena and Mahara-shtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have demanded a probe into the incident. The MNS has also said they would approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the matter. The fire at Aarey Colony was doused late midnight on Monday.
The environment minister Ramdas Kadam has demanded for an inquiry by the forest department into the incident.
“I am doubtful about the cause of the fire that destroyed vegetation over 60 acres of land. A detailed probe is needed in order to ascertain whether it was an accident or someone purposefully set it ablaze. The forest department should initiate an inqui-ry. I am going to raise the issue before forest minister Sudhir Munganti-war,” said Mr Kadam.
While announcing that they would approach the NGT over the fire issue, the MNS has also demanded a judicial probe into the incident.
MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar, who visited the spot on Tuesday, said that there are ample of doubts implicating that the fire was man-made and not natural.
“If the state government would ignore the incident, then what is the use of planting thousands of trees?” he said.
Mr Nandgaonkar said that the needle of suspicion is pointing towards a developer carrying out construction works in the vicinity. “It is a ploy to drive away Marathi Manoos (Maharashtria-ns) from the area. Why have no action being taken against the developer?” he asked.