Mumbai Beat

Harshad Rane is prime accused in two murders, while absconding Ramesh Rane too is involved in two murders and several extortion cases. Several cases have been registered against the duo in police stations in western suburbs.

Last week, the crime branch had arrested four gangsters from the Rajangang and seized several sophisticated weapons including a rare stengun and .38 revolver. Earlier this week the police had arrested two Rajan gangsters and recovered two AK-47s and several live rounds.

Cabbies flay toll charges

The state government8217;s decision to charge Rs 20 as toll charges at five entry points in the city from May 21 will hit the taxi trade badly, according to Mumbai Taximen8217;s Association MTA.

More than 3000 taxis operate on extended temporary permits in Navi Mumbai, Thane city and Mira Bhyander area, MTA general secretary A L Quadros said. Hundred of taximen had migrated to Navi Mumbai when the CIDCO had offered them low cost accommondation in 1977 when there was no public transport except taxis. When the operation of CIDCO buses were closed, the taxis had played an important role by providing cheaper transport to the public, Qudros claimed.

The union has submitted a mercy petition to Chief Minister Narayan Rane seeking exemption for taximen from paying toll charges forplying between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai.

Cong leader held for slapping excise officer

Navi Mumbai District Congress I president D R Patil was arrested on Tuesday on charges of assaulting Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise Manasvi Srivastava. Confirming the arrest, Police Commissioner Sudhakar Ambedkar stated today that Patil was released on a personal bond. Patil allegedly slapped Srivastava during a traffic jam near the police commissioner8217;s office itself where the officer tried to move into a lane.

When Srivastava identified himself Patil8217;s associates allegedly shot back at him saying 8220;So what?8221;. In an altercation that ensured, Patil slapped Srivastava who rushed to the police commissioner to complain about the incident. Ambedkar immediately asked Turbhe police to arrest Patil who was called to the police station on Tuesday night to formalise the arrest. If convicted Patil could be sentenced to a three-month jail term, but the case could be resolved through an out-of-courtsettlement, too, legal experts say.

Ray8217;s Charulata to be screened at film workshop

Satyajit Ray8217;s famous film Charulata 8212; one of the finest works in black and white 8212; will be screened at a workshop on film-making Towards a better image8217; beginning May 1.

The three-day workshop has been organised to emphasise cinematography as an art form and highlight its interaction with fine art, applied art, architecture and art direction. Charulata8216;s cinematographer Subrata Mitra will inaugurate the workshop being organised by the Cinematographers8217; Combine, Kodak Professional Motion Imaging and Adlabs Films. The other two films that will be screened are Mrinal Sen8217;s Bhuvan Shome camera: K K Mahajan and Shyam Benegal8217;s Bhumika camera: Govind Nihalani.

Over 150 experts including cameramen, cinematographers, editors, directors, architects, filmmakers, architects, art directors and masters in special effects are expected to attend the workshop.

The topics that willbe discussed in the meeting include: use of light in painting, concept of space and form in architecture and art direction, digital technology for imaging, techniques of special effects in films, the cinematographer as a filmmaker and towards a better image.