Fwd: Press Release: Demolition drive in Malvani, Malad
Sitaram Shelar
A demolition of an entire settlement of more than 350 households has been carried out in Malad today. This settlement known as 'Katcha Rasta' is adjacent to the New Collector's Compound in Malvani.
A notice regarding proposed eviction had been sent to only 50 families on 17 May 2015. This eviction of the poor from their homes is in absolute contravention of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act (1971) as it is imperative that an advance notice of at least 24 hours is given (Sec. 3(z)i-2) prior to eviction.
The notice stated that these homes had been constructed on mangrove land under the ownership of the Forest Department and hence would be evicted. Only some parts of the entire settlement are on mangrove land.
While these homes were being constructed, for more than 15 years the Forest Department chose to turn a blind eye and wake up only to render nearly 1000 women and children homeless today!
At 9 am the Forest officer, Forest police, local police, BMC officials and bulldozers arrived and began demolishing homes. This rampage continued up to sundown at 7.30 pm when the entire settlement was razed to the ground. Some households even had proof of existence prior to 01.01.2000 and had submitted the same to the Collector in Bandra in the past. The last time they submitted proof to the Collector in Bandra, their pre 2000 residential proofs were not accepted and only recent residential proofs were kept in the record.
This demolition drive is inhuman and those responsible must be held accountable.
5 women from the area who attempted to save their homes were arrested by the police and an FIR has been lodged against them.
This is the second demolition in the Malad suburb since last week.
Hamara Shehar Mumbai condemns these evictions and the gross violation of rights. Such events reinforce the need for affordable public housing to be reserved in the DP.
Attached are pictures from the demolition drive.
YOUTH FOR UNITY & VOLUNTARY ACTION (YUVA)91-22-25103740 / 91-22-252103790
From: Hamara Shehar Vikas Niyojan Mumbai <mumbai...@gmail.com>
Date: 4 June 2015 at 20:40
Subject: Press Release: Demolition drive in Malvani, Malad
To: Aravind Unni <arav...@yuvaindia.org>, Sitaram Shelar <sitaram...@yuvaindia.org>, hussain indorewala <huss...@riseup.net>, Shweta Wagh <shwet...@gmail.com>, Malav Kanuga <malav.j...@gmail.com>, Sabah Khan <saba...@gmail.com>, Marina Joseph <mari...@yuvaindia.org>
A demolition of an entire settlement of more than 350 households has been carried out in Malad today. This settlement known as 'Katcha Rasta' is adjacent to the New Collector's Compound in Malvani.
A notice regarding proposed eviction had been sent to only 50 families on 17 May 2015. This eviction of the poor from their homes is in absolute contravention of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act (1971) as it is imperative that an advance notice of at least 24 hours is given (Sec. 3(z)i-2) prior to eviction.
The notice stated that these homes had been constructed on mangrove land under the ownership of the Forest Department and hence would be evicted. Only some parts of the entire settlement are on mangrove land.
While these homes were being constructed, for more than 15 years the Forest Department chose to turn a blind eye and wake up only to render nearly 1000 women and children homeless today!
At 9 am the Forest officer, Forest police, local police, BMC officials and bulldozers arrived and began demolishing homes. This rampage continued up to sundown at 7.30 pm when the entire settlement was razed to the ground. Some households even had proof of existence prior to 01.01.2000 and had submitted the same to the Collector in Bandra in the past. The last time they submitted proof to the Collector in Bandra, their pre 2000 residential proofs were not accepted and only recent residential proofs were kept in the record.
This demolition drive is inhuman and those responsible must be held accountable.
5 women from the area who attempted to save their homes were arrested by the police and an FIR has been lodged against them.
This is the second demolition in the Malad suburb since last week.
Hamara Shehar Mumbai condemns these evictions and the gross violation of rights. Such events reinforce the need for affordable public housing to be reserved in the DP.
Attached are pictures from the demolition drive.
