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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,...

354 criminals sent to jail to reduce murder cases : CP Amitesh Kumar

CP Amitesh Kumar

Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar had always been a man of action, and his tenure in Nagpur was no exception. Over the course of three years, he had brought a remarkable transformation to the city’s law enforcement. The Monday morning after his third anniversary in office found him sitting behind his desk, a rare moment of relaxation for the hardworking officer.His three-year tenure, marked by a remarkable crackdown on criminals and a significant reduction in murders. Kumar took a bold stand against criminals, detaining a staggering 150 criminals under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) and initiating action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against 204 notorious history-sheeters. These decisive actions sent a clear message to criminals operating in Nagpur.
One of Commissioner Kumar’s most significant achievements was the 35 per cent reduction in murder cases in 2022. When asked about the reason behind this success, he attributed it to “continuous preventive action against goonda elements.” Between September 2020 and September 2023, 150 criminals were booked under MPDA, and 34 MCOCA orders were passed, leading to the arrest of 204 history-sheeters.
While murder cases have historically been a major challenge in Nagpur, Commissioner Kumar’s proactive approach, supported by the MPDA and MCOCA, helped deter criminal activities. He noted that most of the recent murder cases were related to family matters, indicating a shift away from organized crime.
Commissioner Kumar also emphasized his commitment to improving traffic management in the city, acknowledging that there is room for improvement in this area.
Under his leadership, transparency in police transfers was introduced, boosting the morale of police officers. Additionally, a comprehensive health check-up initiative for police personnel was implemented, ensuring the well-being of those serving the city. Out of 8000 police personnel, 4000 have undergone health check-ups.
Looking ahead, Commissioner Kumar outlined plans for capacity building in tackling online frauds and addressing drug-related offences, further demonstrating his dedication to enhancing the city’s safety and security.

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