Barely four days after the Shreeji Chemicals tragedy which claimed three lives and left 14 persons critical, another gas leak took place in Dombivli today at Cawasji Manik Chemical Private Ltd which is located in Phase II, MIDC industrial zone. Chloro-sulphonic acid, which is manufactured here, was being transferred by pipeline when a gasket gave way and the gaseous acid began spreading around noon. According to manager of the industrial unit Bhaskar Mahajan, ``Nobody in the plant was injured due to the leak.'' But workers who spoke to Express Newsline said: ``Many of us have been feeling inflammation in the eyes, nose, mouth and throat due to the fumes.''

However, nobody was hurt. Asked why they did not lodge a police complaint, the workers said: ``That would hurt us more than the owner.'' The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) joint director B Bukkawar and KDMC deputy municipal commissioners R K Sonawane and Sanjay Gharat rushed to the spot. Manpadapolice, though, still have to register an offence. Police said, ``We have not received any complaint from any member of the public yet.''

Betting racket at Malad busted

The anti-extortion cell of police has busted a betting racket at Malad and arrested eight bookies involved in betting on cricket matches. A police team raided a 1,000 sq ft flat at Sant Bhavan, Malad, owned by one Ashok Kamdar and arrested him along with seven of his associates. ``We have seized 13 Panasonic telephones, two computer systems, a close-circuit television, a Sony colour television and other electronic accessories worth over 1.66 lakh,'' Nandkumar Mistry, part of the special police squad, said. Among other members of the police team were Sanjay Kadam and Sukhlal Varpe.

Cop in excise dept promoted

Assistant police inspector in the state excise department, K S Irani, has been promoted as senior police inspector and posted to Aurangabad. Irani had proven his proficiency during his posting at Nashik and has animpressive track record.

-- Express Newsline reports