Uran alert: Cops dismiss rumours of arrests

Following reports of Navi Mumbai police arresting the intruders who were allegedly spotted in Uran on Thursday, officials issued a statement denying such a development

Following reports of Navi Mumbai police arresting the intruders who were allegedly spotted in Uran on Thursday, officials issued a statement denying such a development on Saturday.

Police personnel stand guard by the coast at Geeta Nagar Colaba on Friday. (Kunal Patil/HT)

The police said a few people were questioned based on the sketches that were issued. However, those brought in for questioning were allowed to go after their identities were verified.

“The Uran operations are still underway and there has been no success so far,” said Hemant Nagrale, Navi Mumbai police commissioner.

He added that reports of three suspects being detained by Panvel police at Gavhan on Saturday are false. Another senior police official said the people in photos being circulated on social media, are labourers whose identity has been established by their employers.

The police also asked people to refrain from spreading rumors. They appealed to the public to approach the police if they had information about the suspected intruders.

The Navy called off their search in Uran and the surrounding coastal belt on Friday after sanitising the naval base and their area of operations

The police also withdrew a part of the additional force deployed in the search operation. However, National Security Guard commandos are stil stationed in the area.

Normalcy seemed to be returning to the fishing town of Uran, with shops andcommercial establishments reopening. Schools and colleges which have been shut since Friday, will resume after the weekend.

Western India’s biggest naval base, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, fertiliser plants, refineries, power plants and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port are all located near Uran.

(With agencies inputs)