The district administration in Maharashtra's Satara on Thursday demolished certain unauthorised constructions encroaching around the historic tomb of 17th century nobleman Afzal Khan in the Pratapgad Fort here, officials said.
The hilltop fort was the site of the famed Battle of Pratapgad which took place on November 10, 1659 between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan, a general of Bijapur's ruler Sultan Adil Shahi.
In that battle, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzal Khan, and the episode became a historic tale of deceit and valour.
Interestingly, the demolition - pending for several years - came on the 363rd anniversary of the Battle of Pratapgad - celebrated as 'Shiv Pratap Day' by some local organisations - and tight police security was deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Prohibitory orders were clamped in Pratapgarh, Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Karad and other towns in the district with Collector Ruchesh Jayavanshi and Superintendent of Police Sameer Shaikh personally monitoring the situation at the fort.
The illegal structures, comprising several temporary and permanent ones, encroached upon Revenue and Forest Department lands around the tomb within the small mausoleum of Afzal Khan there.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will take up for hearing an urgent plea challenging the ongoing demolitions on an area of around 15,000-20,000 square feet carried out by the Revenue and Forest Department teams.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that in 2007, the Bombay High Court had ordered the razing of these illegal constructions, and when he was the CM in 2017, he had planned to demolish them but was delayed owing to certain legal hassles, but now it was being carried out.
Air India Express strike: Air India to operate on AIX 20 routes
The Tata-owned Air India will operate 20 Air India Express (AIX) routes to help the latter amid an ongoing strike by cabin crew members, said an airline official on Thursday.
Tripura CM urges Railway Minister to resume train services hit by landslides in Assam
“The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation. He has asked the state officials to maintain close contact with the NFR engineers and officials to know the progress of the ongoing work,” an official said.
CCTV pictures of suspected terrorists behind Poonch attack surface
In the attack on the two-vehicle IAF convoy at Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, one air warrior named Corporal Vikky Pahade was killed, while four other IAF personnel were injured.
CMs of northeastern states slam Sam Pitroda's colour of citizens' remark, demand apology
Several Chief Ministers and leaders from the northeastern states condemned Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remark on the 'colour of citizens' and demanded his apology.
Students, faculties of BTVM observes Rabindra Jayanti
The Bhavan's Tripura Vidya Mandir on Wednesday observed Rabindra Jayanti in remembrance of world poet Rabindranath Tagore's birthday, where students and faculties of both the shifts participated.
Rajasthan resident held in state with cannabis worth Rs 1 lakh
A joint operation by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) recovered 25 kg of ganja from Agartala railway station and arrested one person hailing from Rajasthan.
CM to campaign for BJP candidates in West Bengal on May 09
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha is set to actively participate in campaigning on May 09 for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, as confirmed by party sources today.
Congress wants to snatch reservation from backward classes and give it to Muslims: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress wants to bring a legislation to snatch reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) and give them to Muslims.