India, April 13 -- A fire that broke out in the Indralok area of Bhayandar East on Friday night claimed three lives and gutted over 50 settlements allegedly built through illegal encroachments on mangrove land. The allegations were made by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Saturday, stating that the area was occupied by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and demanding strict action against the defaulting individuals.

According to the police, an FIR was registered in 2024 against 11 individuals under the Environment Protection Act for alleged mangrove destruction and unauthorised land filling at the site.

However, residents claimed that no effective action followed. They alleged that large-scale encroachment has taken place in Indralok...