Sabotage bid feared at Thane civic headquarters

THANE: Fearing a sabotage bid at the town development department’s office at the civic body headquarters in Panchpakhadi and a possible attempt to destroy important files, the Thane municipal secretary has advised the security department to exercise caution.
Secretary Ashok Burpulle has written to the security department asking it to exercise caution while allowing visitors to the corporation headquarters. The letter comes close on the heels of BJP corporator Narayan Pawar alerting the commissioner about a similar threat to the town development department.
The letter that comes days after a vertical split in the administration over some internal transfers has laid bare the simmering unrest in the Thane civic body.
Burpulle, in his letter, has claimed there are files pertaining to certain controversial projects executed in the city and hinted they could be at potential risk of fire or damage. Accordingly, he has also alerted the chief fire officer. “The town development department houses several files and documents related to various controversial projects including those that are pending before the courts. These files could be at risk due to a fire caused by some stray incidents and we should be prepared to prevent it. We need to scrutinize people who access the municipal headquarters on public holidays,” states the letter.