From: Initiative India <initiativeindia@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Subject: [initiative-india] Thousands protest Unjust Mumbai Demolitions: Call Maha CM - Demand Justice
To:
A Wing First Floor, Haji Habib Building, Naigaon Cross Road
Dadar (E), Mumbai-400 014 Ph. No-2415 0529 E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
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PROTEST FAST BEGINS
against Illegal Detention of Medha Patkar & 100 slumdwellers at Mumbai
Call the CM: Demand immediate release & end to demolitions
Seek criminal action against police and Shivalik Builders
20th January: In an absolutely brazen show of illegality and inhumanity, the Mumbai district administration began demolitions of the houses of the poor basti-dwellers at Ganesh Kripa Society, Golibar today and when confronted by people and activists, brutally swooped down upon them by violent force. Eye witnesses have reported of a very barbaric behaviour by the police, both male and female. The male police, in particular, exhibited extremely crude and humiliating conduct and manhandled some of the women, resulting in the their saris being torn, deliberate pulling of the marital chains etc. The sari of activist Medha Patkar was also torn and she was cruelly pulled by the hair. It is notable that this action is in the wake of people courageously questioning Shivalik Builders.
The detainees have been kept at different police stations including Nirmal Nagar police station, Bandra-Kurla police station etc. Police officials who were responsible for the illegal action include Mr. Mahabdi, Mr. Rokde, Mr. Salunke, Ms. Lalavade and especially, Senior Police Inspector Mr. Bagade who marched into Ganesh Krupa Society started forcible demolitions and abuse of the protestors.
Immediately, thousands of slum dwellers stormed the Western Express Highway and demanded the release of the activists and cried halt to the illegal and unjust demolition of their homes. Notably, many of these homes have existed since the early years of independence!
It is shameful that instead of initiating action against the illegal builder-encroacher 'Shivalik', the administration continues to demolish and destroy hundreds of the dwellings of hundreds of hard-earned poor, along with their properties. Medha Patkar has begun a protest fast against the illegal demolitions and atrocities by the police and administration. Thousands of basti dwellers across Mumbai under the banner of Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan have united at the spot in solidarity with the detainees and aggrieved and have been raising slogans of 'Buildershahi band karo" ; 'Gareebon ka shram kitna, haq kitna, hisaab karo, hisaab do'.
A string of protest calls from across the nation are pouring in at the Nirmal Nagar Police Station (26471306 / 26470931) and to SPI Bagade (9821600134) for immediate release of the detainees. Do also call the Chief Minister, Maharashtra at 022- 22025151 and 022- 22025222
Send an e-mail at chiefminister@maharashtra.gov.in
Demand:
· Immediate release of all the detainees
· Immediate suspension, disciplinary and criminal action against all police officials and personnel involved in the demolition drive and force on the people.
· Legal action against Shivalik Builders for all the illegalities and encroachment committed by it.
Sumit Wajale Madhuri Variyath Shrikanth
9892727063 09820619174 09179148973
Shivalik Builders: Another Saga of Illegality
In the name of 'slum rehabilitation' on 140 acres of land at Golibar, Bandra; Shivalik Ventures have misused law and taken up work on land leased out by MHADA to at least 45 societies who have not given their consent to the extent required under law i.e. 70%. It is against law that the scheme is also converted into the 3K-Cluster Project under the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, which in fact is not applicable to the said project. This issue is also challenged before the Mumbai High Court
The builders have been trying to push the project with false claims, manoeuvres as well as violent and repressive ways and means, using the local police force and their own anti-social elements, who have twice attempted to attack two of the local activists.
It is this scheme which itself is a fraud, committed with a nexus of politicians and bureaucrats that has done a much larger harm against 'rule of law' by encroaching upon 65 acres of land belonging to the Defence Ministry where buildings are already built and standing today, which are absolutely illegal and needs to be demolished, if law is to be followed.
Shivalik is now falsely claiming that what is built on the Defence Ministry's land is only transit camps. In reality, the transit camps, least in number prepared for the people shifted out are uninhabitable and many are compelled to stay in rented houses outside, since pre-mature eviction was imposed by the builders with force and fraud. The same builders have also flouted the norms related to use of lands adjacent to the Railways.
Even as the Adarsh and Lavasa scams continue to shame Maharashtra, there are hundreds of mega real – estate builders across Mumbai and the state who are the real encroachers, as against the hard-working urban poor, who in fact contribute the most essential services to the city.
We hope the present Chief Minister will act quick and tough on these elements that are cheating the people and looting the nation.
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Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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