Bitta demands 'martyr' status for four deceased firemen

Chairman Of All India Anti-terrorist Front M S Bitta today paid tribute to four officers of the Mumbai fire brigade who died in the line of duty this month.
Bitta and AIATF (Mumbai) General Secretary Dhruv Sayani today visited the remnants of Gokul Niwas, the building in Kalbadevi area here which was gutted in a devastating fire on May 9.
He was joined by a large number city residents who offered support to the families of the brave firemen who sacrificed their lives while trying to contain the blaze in the busy area in the heart of the city.
Chief fire officer Sunil Nesrikar succumbed to injuries received during the fire-fighting operation last Sunday. Deputy chief fire officer Sudhir Amin passed away 10 days ago, while assistant divisional fire officer S W Rane and station officer M N Desai died on on May 9 itself.

Bitta, a former all-India president of the Youth Congress, also visited the Breach Candy Hospital to meet Anita Rane, Rane's wife, and presented an award to the bereaved family for the bravery of her husband.
He demanded that 'shaheed' (martyr) status be conferred on all the four fireman, and criticised the municipal corporation for not taking initiative in this regard.
Bitta urged the Maharashtra government to look into the matter.