Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan
Slum dwellers start Satyagraha asserting their right to shelter: AAP to support
Mumbai: 20 May 2014: (Punjab Screen Bureau):
National
Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) condemns the unlawful eviction of
600 people and brutal demolition of 130 homes that took place at 90 ft.
Road, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Mulund (E), Mumbai yesterday, May
20th.
In January 2013, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj
Chavan had set up an enquiry commission to curb corrupt practices
plaguing 6 SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) projects and
Re-development plans in slum areas of Mumbai after local residents had
exposed the irregularities. The commission was led by Mr. Debashish
Chakrabarty, Principal Secretary (Housing).
It is after 1 year
and 5 months of investigation that Mr Chakrabarty submitted his report
to Chief Minister in which it is concluded that the slum dwellers
should approach the Additional Collector for getting the eligibility
issue resolved, and for other issues they are asked to submit their
application to the SRA who would give an hearing and settle the issues.
All this is yet to happen. It is also not clear that whether the CM has
approved the report however the report is recently received by NAPM and
the NAPM was to act on the same. It is therefore absolutely
unjustifiable that the houses are demolished without serving the purpose
of the enquiry itself.
While the enquiry is extra-ordinarily
delayed, Samarth Spark Developers have used this opportunity to their
own advantage, which is grabbing land by displacing the poor. First,
they have cleverly manipulated the law by prompting Ashtabhuja Society
to file a case against them (vide writ petition 647/2014 date.
03.04.2014) as a result of which the High Court has ordered demolition
of these houses. Whether the court was kept in dark about the enquiry
commission or not, its judgement has led to the demolition even before
the enquiry’s final findings. Then, in cahoots with the local
administration, they’ve carried out the demolition before the victims
could take recourse to law.
Demolitions were carried out in the
early hours of morning by Tehsildar Smt. Dalvi under direct orders from
Deputy Collector Ravi Patil.
Out of the 136 demolished homes, 16 were unsurveyed and hence didn’t qualify for demolition.
Out
of the demolished houses 111 didn’t qualify under the 1/1/95 cut-off
for slum dwellings but they were to be in the process of getting
declared as eligible since the government had decided to increase the 95
cut-off to the year 2000. [‘Free housing for slumdwellers till 2000’
|TNN | Jan 3, 2012]. The Deputy Collector was well-informed about this
process but went ahead with the demolitions showing clear bias for the
builder fraternity at the cost of urban poor. It is thus clear that the
election promises to the urban poor in Mumbai have already forgotten and
the politicians are back to their unjustice & illegal practices.
Ten
households which were legal structure, but had denied rehabilitation in
transit camps were also evicted. Their inability to move into the
transit camp was again an administrative blunder as the camp was
situated on disputed land (public playground). In any case the transit
camp are in a very bad condition and while others are compelled to stay
there this households had demanded a legal and liveable transit
accommodation. Such high-handedness is unacceptable in any civilized
society and can only lead to further disenchantment of the people from
administrative machinery and alienation from recourse to law. Other
households have been demanding their inclusion in the housing scheme of
ashtabhuja society as project affected person (PAPs) since this was
accepted by the ashtabhuja society when they were granted the land for
the housing project inspite of about 600 families living on the land at
the time of allotment.
Ms Medha patkar had called and spoken to
Chief Minister asking him to intervene in the matter and not to permit
eviction and demolition of houses till the process of enquiry is
completed and justice is assured. He had promised to do the same but
with no avail.
Eviction notices were handed out on 19th May, 2014
at 1 PM. Showing exemplary promptness and utmost loyalty to their
builder benefactors, officials carried out demolitions much before the
stipulated deadline of 24 hours was over. At 9.30 AM, 600 families
including children, senior citizens and a large number of women were
thrown on the streets. Their personal possessions lie buried in the
rubble, and in the scorching heat and an impending monsoon, all these
citizens of Mumbai have been cruelly left at the mercy of nature.
In the past 11 years, SRA plans have shown little progress. The CAG
report for Maharashtra (Civil) dated 31st march 2011 clearly indicates
the failure of this scheme.
It is important for media to note the
fact that in the past, Chief Promoter of the SRA – Moreshwar Koli and
aides of Samarth Spark Developers led by Dattaji Desai and Raju Salve
have taken violent measures to take over the land. They are responsible
for not just intimidation, but goons were hired on 10th July, 2011 to
inflict serious assault on members of Ambedkar Basti.
At this
hour of extreme injustice, we seek the support of all citizens of this
country who believe in the basic right of shelter for all human beings.
Demolition is an act of violence with official sanction; its victims are
poor who are living in shanties not out of choice. By criminalizing
hard-working women and innocent children, Mumbai will only become a city
but without a heart.
Sumit Wajale
Altamash Shaikh Poonam Kanojiya
(9892727063) (7738991699)
Ajay Palande Santosh Thorat Jameel Bhai
