Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti organizes protest rally

Abdul Rauf Sheikh (On Mic), Subash Sawant along with Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti members at an Andolan meet (Click photo to enlarge)

About a fortnight ago we had carried a story about a slum dweller and tomato vendor Sadan Shah, residing at Dawri Nagar who was stabbed in the back since he objected to signing any documents in regards to development of slums at Dawri Nagar. It is learnt that Saidham Co-op Hsg Society Madhyavarthi Samiti has been collecting consent letters from the slum dwellers of Dawri Nagar Gate no 1-5 towards consent for development. However, the Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti is at loggerheads with Saidham Co-op Hsg Soc against the proposal for development.

As a protest, last week the Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti organized a “Saidham Society Adarsh Ghotala” rally at Dawri Nagar wherein about 300 slum dwellers participated. At the protest rally Rauf Sheikh, Secretary questioned, “It was in 2005 and again in 2007 that Saidham Society had collected documents from slum dwellers towards development. But nothing has been done. Now again in 2010 the same Saidham Society are once again approaching the slum dwellers and collecting documents on the pretext that a developer has obtained NOC for development of the slums.” Rauf further questions, “So far Saidham have roped in three developers for development. But no development has taken place. The irony will be in case all the three developers stake claim and if any dispute arises the entire project will go in jeopardy.”

However, Moula Shikalgar, Secretary Saidham Co-op Hsg Sec denies the allegations and confirms, “We are presently only collecting consent letters from the slum dwellers showing their willingness for development of Dawri Nagar slums. Later, these consent letters will be forwarded to concerned departments for approval. We are clean and transparent in our dealings and vested parties are trying to create bottlenecks in the smooth functioning of our plans.”

But, Subash Sawant, President Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti does not agree and contradicts by saying, “I have been working on the development plans of Dawri Nagar for the past 18 years but unable to get NOC.” In a recent RTI reply to an application filed by Subash Sawant he has received a reply vide SWAC/3451/247/PIO dated 22^nd November, 2010 which states, “Indian Air Force has not issued NOC to any builder for development of plot bearing CTS No 155, CS No 384 at Santacruz (East), Mumbai.”

But when questioned, Shikalgar replied, “We have not promised the slum dwellers that we have received an NOC but we are in the process of getting the approval” However, time will tell on the development plans of Dawri Nagar.

Further, the Dawri Nagar Bachao Samiti office bearers had approached the Sr PI Vakola Police and demanded the arrest of the culprits who had stabbed Sadan Shah. “It is almost a month since an FIR had been lodged but so far no arrest has taken place and we have requested Sr PI to look into the matter,” concluded Rauf Sheikh.