In damage control-mode, MBMC to build memorial for Major Kaustabh Rane; pay for son’s education

Bhayandar: In the eye of a storm over celebrating the birthday of a BJP corporator a few meters away from Major Kaustabh Rane’s apartment in Mira Road, Mayor Dimple Mehta got into a damage control exercise by announcing that the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) will build a memorial outside the Mira Road railway station, as a tribute to the martyr.

This apart from a volley of offers announced by her including job for a family member and to take care of the education expenses of the martyr’s two-year-old son.

Major Kaustabh Prakash Kumar Rane was amongst four brave hearts who had attained martyrdom in a fierce gunfight while trying to prevent militants from infiltrating into Gurez sector of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. As the entire nation mourned Major Rane’s death, a bunch of insensitive politicians were busy enjoying a lavish party which was organized in the Jangid Estate area of Mira Road (east) to celebrate the birthday of municipal corporator Anand Manjrekar (BJP), the same evening.

Apart from other local leaders, municipal corporators, BJP legislator Narendra Mehta and Mayor Dimple Mehta were amongst those who registered their presence for the celebrations. With a huge banner carrying images of BJP leaders including the prime minister in the backdrop, a huge stage was erected for the cake cutting ceremony and public reception.

A first time corporator, Manjrekar was elected from ward number 17 (A) in the MBMC. The brazen act of insult to the martyr by the BJP cadres and their local leadership invited sharp criticism from the local populace apparently prompting the Mayor to move into high gear to control the damage. Natives of Sadure village in Vaibhavwadi taluka of Sindhudurg district, the Rane family has been staying in the Hiral Sagar building located in Sheetal Nagar area of Mira Road since 1990.