Two `key persons` behind Deonar dumping yard fires held

Mumbai: Two scrap dealers, said to be "chiefly responsible" for the massive fires at the Deonar dumping yard in the city, were on Saturday arrested, police said.

Atiq Ahmed Khan and Rafiq Ahmed Khan, both residents of Govandi area, were apprehended this morning by Shivaji Nagar Police and are the ones 'chiefly responsible' behind the fire incidents at the dumping ground, DCP Zone-VI Sangramsing Nishandar said.

The duo were produced before a court which remanded in police custody till April 25, the officer said.

With these two arrests, police have so far nabbed 15 persons in connection with the two fire incidents of January 28 and March 19, this year.

Nine scrap dealers were arrested on April 16, while another four were nabbed the following day.

According to police, the accused allegedly used rag-pickers, especially children, to set fire in the dumping ground so that it becomes easier for them to collect metal scrap and other left overs.

All of them have been booked under IPC sections 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 436, 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) rw 34 (common intention).

A major blaze broke out on January 28 at the dumping yard in Deonar which had created a thick blanket of smog across the nearby areas, causing serious health issues to residents.

Barely two months after it, another fire took place on March 19, which continued to rage for several days.