Four arrested for hacking mangroves at Mahim

Mehboob Ali Abdul Karim Sheikh, Azizul K Mulla, Bhimrao Ramesh Kamble and B Sheikh were caught red-handed at the creek today in a joint operation of the BMC encroachment and the additional city collector encroachment. The Collector of Greater Mumbai, Sanjay Chahande, said, 8220;Ever since we received complaints from Mahim residents about the destruction of mangroves, we set up a strict vigil to see who was behind this illegal activity. We will soon know who is behind this.8221;

Added the BMC ward officer in-charge of encroachment removal, S S Shinde, 8220;I was present at the spot this afternoon when we saw the concerned persons moving in a suspicious manner on the marshy land. They confessed that they had been sold certain plots for making huts.8221;