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A Village Burnt Overnight: Tears, Loss and Survival in Dhamangaon Blaze

  Sitting amid the blackened remains of his home, 32-year-old Nikesh Gawali carefully broke open a half-melted plastic box with a screwdriver. His hands shook slightly, not out of fear, but out of hope. “I’m trying to find my daughter Aarti’s gold earrings,” he said quietly, still focused on the box. “She’s just five. I got them made recently after months of labour work.” The plastic box, warped and blackened by heat, was one of the few things left from his two-room house on the outskirts of Dhamangaon village . All around him lay ash, broken tin sheets and charred wooden beams. The walls had cracked under the heat and the front room’s tin roof had caved in completely. What remained was a blackened debris all around - almost nothing to suggest a home once stood there. Nikesh earns his living as an agricultural labourer, like many in the village. Work is uncertain and depends on the season. Those earrings weren’t just jewellery - they were a small dream, a reward for his hard work,...

Murder on first day of new year rocks city

Year 2016 ended on a bloody note as city witnessed one more murder. The motive was quite petty and it seems liquor played the spoil sport. Police said, Kumar Wasudeo Haldar (28) attacked Akash Girad (26) with a sharp weapon. The incident occurred around 11.30 pm even as citizens were just starting countdown for ringing in new year.

Haldar resides at Kalamna while Girad was resident of Shaniwari Cotton Market and two were gone to a restaurant. The two consumed liquor near Jayshree Talkies and during drinks one thing led to another and two lunged at each other's throat. In a moment of rage, Haldar drew a small knife from his pocket and stabbed Girad, who was hit on the thigh. Soon after the incident Girad fled from the spot. Staff of Ganeshpeth police station gave chase to Haldar as he was fleeing with knife. However, Haldar managed to run faster than the police and escaped.
The cops later searched for victim and find Girad laying on the ground in a lane adjacent to Jayshree Talkies. He was taken to hospital where he died due to excessive bleeding.
Ganeshpeth police later traced and arrested Haldar. He works in the cotton market as labourer and booked him under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code.


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