Are Dawri Nagar Slum dwellers taken for a ride?

The SRA proposal initiated by the government has become a haven for unscrupulous builders, smugglers, goondas, land grabbers, politicians, unemployed and many. All in the name of SRA re-development they have been harassing the innocent slumdwellers and compelling them sign documents or face the consequences. Last month, a chaos and mass protest was demonstrated by the slum dwellers of Ganesh Krupa Society, Khar (E), against the developer Shivalik Ventures. An area spread across 140 acres, Jawahar Nagar in Khar (West) is one of the biggest areas open for redevelopment under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s (SRA) jurisdiction. But after two incidents of debates between residents and the developer for the area, resident Datta Mane was beaten up by unknown miscreants and a police complaint was lodged.

Similarly, last week a slumdweller, Sadan Shah residing at Adarsh Lane Chawl, Gate No 1, Dawri Nagar was stabbed at Vakola Bridge since he objected against signing of any agreement or handing over his documents to the society which has been collecting documents from slum dwellers on pretext of development of slums at Dawri Nagar.

It is learnt that a Saidham Co-Op Hsg Soc, Dawri Nagar was formed in 2005 for the development of Dawri Nagar. Now, it is understood that the name has been changed to Saidham Co-op Madhyavarthi Samiti. It is alleged that since the past couple of months the society has been collecting documents and getting forms signed from the slum dwellers of Dawri Nagar on the pretext that a builder has received NOC for the development of Dawri Nagar. It is learnt that many slum dwellers have signed documents and alleged that others who have not signed are forcibly made to hand over documents and accept the proposal.

Last week, a slum dweller Sadan Shah, who has been residing at Dawri Nagar, has been selling tomatoes on handcart opposite Saidham Co-op Hsg Soc office. It is learnt that society members/agents have been torturing him since July to sign the documents accepting the proposed of development scheme. But, Sadan has been reluctant and was unwilling to accept the scheme. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, Sadan admitted and said, “In October Mukhtar Patel and Abdul Razzak Nagani came over to me and asked me to hand over chawl documents to the society. Since I was reluctant they threatened me that if I do not submit my documents to the society, I will not be allowed to continue my business of selling tomatoes. Also, Farida Chappan Mastan Sheikh, Gate No4, Dawri Nagar threatened me and told me that I will have to deposit documents in society office”

Fearing threat Sadan lodged a police complaint against Mukhtar and Razzak vide NC No 5775 dt 19.11.2010. However, on 3^rd December, while Sadan was finalizing his business dues with his creditor it is alleged that an unknown person approached Sadan and asked him if he recognizes Mukhthat and Razak. “Since I spoke in the negative, this unidentified person removed a knife to stab me. Since I turned I was brutally stabbed in the back, “admits Sadan.

He was rushed to V.N.Desai Hospital and given treatment and discharged. A complaint was lodged at Vakola Police Station. Sadan received about 14-15 stitches. However, on 6^th December as he was vomiting and a severe pain near the stab wound, Sadan was admitted at V.N.Desai Hospital for treatment. A case No 533/10 u/s 324,504,507 IPC has been registered by Vakola Police.

It is further learnt that Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti has been formed in October to raise protest. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, Subash Sawant said, “Since the past few months the slum dwellers are being fooled and compelled to sign documents. As far as my understanding goes Dawri Nagar is situated on Central government land and no NOC has been granted by Central government for development. The innocent slum dwellers are taken for a ride and forced to part with documents on the pretext that the builder has got an NOC and the documents have to be submitted to the builder. On two earlier occasions forms have been signed and the innocent have been fooled.” Adding further Sawant said, “Last week a slum dweller has been stabbed and is in hospital. In this regard an NC had been lodged at Vakola Police Station and a written letter has been submitted to DCP.” “In the interest of the slum dwellers the culprits have to be booked as their agents despite giving threats and committing crimes are not arrested. To raise protest against these illegal activities our Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti will fight to the last”, concludes Sawant.