1 held in Bhiwandi for molesting, flashing children

THANE: A 36-year-old man was arrestedformolestingchildrenat ahousingsocietyinBhiwandion Wednesday. The minors were playingoutsidethesocietybuilding when the accused Kamlesh Najrana, approached and touched two to three of the boys andgirlsinappropriately. Oneof the children later narrated the incident to their parents who theninformedNizampurapolice station.

According to the police complaint, the abuse occurred at AdarshParktwointhelastweek. Najrana,wholivesinthenearby Radhakhrushna Society, had visited the small open space wherethechildren,agedbetween fourand10,wereplaying.Hethen reportedly showed them his privatepartsandstartedtouchinga few of them inappropriately.

“Parents of the children came tothepolicestationandnarrated the incident. The accused had engagedinsuchbehaviourbefore aswell.Weimmediatelyarrested him from his house. Nearby CCTVfootagealsoshowsthathe engaged withthe children,” said anofficerfromNizampurapolice station. Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against Najrana under relevant sectionsoftheIndianPenalCode (IPC) and Protection of Children fromSexualOffences(Pocso)Act.

NAVI MUMBAI: In a major action against illegal parking of heavy vehicles in Panvel, the traffic cops took action against 2,600 vehicles and collected a penalty of ₹3.9 lakh in January. The police fine ₹250 for illegal parking.

Ankush Khedkar, senior police inspector (traffic) from Kalamboli traffic station, said, “Action has been taken in the pastonemonth.Wezeroeddown on areas prone to illegal parking in Panvel, Kharghar and Kamothe. The patrolling officers took many rounds and ensured that action is taken and the area is free from illegal parking.”

“Despite staff shortfall we have been asked to patrol the area regularly. Patrolling will be done regularly in Kamothe, Kharghar and Kalamboli to ensure that illegal parking menace does not resurface,” said a traffic police, requesting anonymity.

Taloja link road which connects Mumbra, Panvel and SionPanvel highway after cutting through the Kalamboli stretch, is filled with illegally parked heavy vehicles. The other side of Sector 2 in Kharghar has a parking lot but vehicles are parked illegally on the stretch.

Residents said parking menace is in control till regular action is taken but traffic cops lax at times.

“We have noticed that when action is taken against illegal parking, there are no vehicles parked. After the drive is over, the menace is back,” said Div

› Action has been taken in the past one month. We zeroed down on areas prone to illegal parking in Panvel, Kharghar and Kamothe. ANKUSH KHEDKAR, senior police inspector

yesh Patil, 40 a resident of Kalamboli.

“Parking anywhere other than the parking lot has become rampant. The illegally parked vehicles are eating the space meant for motorists. The traffic as well as police department need to act strictly,” said Hemant Sharma, a transport activist. “Apart from asking them to pay fine, traffic cops should also educate the drivers who always park in no-parking zones,” said Sharma.