Mumbai Beat

The arrests followed raids carried out under the supervision of Minister of state for home Ramdas Kadam.

Senior Police Inspector V B Kale along with and seven policemen were suspended for dereliction of duty, according to a state government release.

Kadam raided nine places in the Bhayander-Mira Road townships and arrested the prime accused Linga Swamy, who confessed to the crime, the release added. A total of 800 litres of adulterated milk was also seized during the raids.

Bird population on decline

More than 40 of the 269 recorded species and sub-species of birds in Mumbai city and surrounding regions have shown a dramatic fall in population in the last two decades, according to wildlife conservationist Sunjoy Monga.

These include Woodland species, and more man a dozen others. Monga8217;s research in Mumbai and neighbouring areas in based on sightings and call-notes. 8220;Be it the Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivli, the adjoining Karnala bird santuary, or the birds found near the lakes in Mumba, the avian population in general has shown a sharp downward trend,8221; he said.

Bombay Natural History Society BNHS public relations officer Issar Kehimkar said habitat destruction was one of the major causes which led several species to extinction all over the country. In Mumbai, high-rise buildings and the reduction in green patches forced several species and sub-species to migrate. 8220;Several migratory birds coming to Mumbai from other parts of the country new head for other destinations,8221; he regretted.

Drastic habital changes especially along Mumbai8217;s coastal tracts and the numerous creeks and inter-tidal zones have contirbuted to the quantitative and qualitative decline, BNHS said.

Daylight robbery at Mulund

In a daylight robbery three unknown armed men in a Maruti car waylaid a scooterist and snatched cash from him at Mulund today.

According to Mulund police, the unidentified victim had withdrawn Rs 50,000 in cash from the Bank of Baroda branch. While he was leaving the bank on his Kinetic Honda scooter, a Maruti car suddenly blocked his path forcing him to suddenly brake down. Even as he fell the robbers weilding choppers grabbed the cash bag and fled towards Bhandup.

No arrests have been made so far while investigations are on.

Rizvi high school gets BMC award

For the second time in four years, Rizvi Spring Field High School, Bandra received the award for 8220;Best High School of Mumbai8221; from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC.