Senior citizen brutally attacked for fighting illegal encroachmets

In our last issue we had carried an article on 'BJP worker from Kalina 'dalal' of BMC. In that article we had exposed the nexus between BMC officials and these dalals and the rampant under deals. We had also highlighted the modus operandi of the racket of  corruption and bribe that is being taking place in these underarm deals. The same pertains to the illegal shops that have been demolished by BMC opposite Emerald Apts, Vakola a few days ago. The story goes back to more than 20 years ago when these illegal shops took root. It  is reported that initially  a few shops sprang up with four bamboos. Later they were constructed into full fledged shops. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, one of the shopkeepers said, "I have been carrying on my business since 1984. It was during the time of Municipal Commissioner G.Khairnar that a mass scale demolition took place. Afterwards, we have been served several notices for  demolition" Adding further he said, "We have got gumasta licence from BMC. Many of us have electricity bills. Despite, we have been facing the problem of frequent demolitions."
Another shopkeeper emphasised, "It was only about three years ago the local corporator Sanjay Potnis took up the job of construction of a gutter. At that  time our shops were demolished and we were off business for almost a week." After constructing the gutter we were allowed to set up our shops above the gutter. And our gumusta licence which had expired has not been renewed as yet despite the assurances received from the corporator," alleged one of the shopkeepers. It is understood that these shopkeepers have  been making franatic trips to BMC for renewal of their liccence but in vain.
It  was about a week ago BMC had issued notices to the shopkeepers for demolition against a complaint lodged by Charandas Khushlani, residing at Emerald Apartments. As the period of the notice expired it is learnt that about 15 shopkeepers visited Sanjay Potnis and requested for help in the matter. One of the shopkeeper who visited Sanjay Potnis told Santacruz Patrika, "During the meeting Sanjay Potnis assured us that he would speak to BMC and hold the demolition for a week and in the meantime he asked  us to immediately get a stay order from the Court." While, we left the meeting with the corporator, we found to our surprise that within 15 minutes the BMC demolition squad along with police came at the site and started demolishing our shops. Almost all the shops were demolished to ground level."

But on the day of the demolition it is learnt that the complainant Chetandas Kushalani was brutally attacked by some miscreants early morning while he had left for his routine morning walk. While Santaruz Patrika made attempts to contact Kushalani it is learnt that he is admitted in the ICU of Hinduja Hospital and is in a serious condition. However his daughter a corporate lawyer while speaking to Santacruz Patrika elaborated the incident and said," My dad is a 68-year-old diabetic patient who has been fighting against illegal activities. And for his good deeds he has to pay such a heavy price." Adding further she said, " My dad was a dog fan and everyday while going for his routine morning walk  used to feed biscuits for the stray dogs. On the day of the attack, my dad as usual left for his routine. Suddenly, my relative who heard screams witnessed my dad being attacked by two miscreants who had covered their face. We were immediately informed and my brother rushed down to the help of dad. He was beaten very badly and sustained multiple fractures and was also bleeding profously."
"My brother immediately put him in an autorickshaw and one of the miscreants started pulling my dad to push him into a taxi. But my brother  managed to push the miscreant and take daddy  to Vakola Police Station and hospital. Had not it been for the presence of mind of my brother, my dad would have been driven into the taxi and nobody would have known his fate,"narrated his daughter while in tears.
Further, while verifying the attack on Kushalani, a shopkeeper added, "I have heard of the attack. But unsure about the miscreants." He further added by saying,"It was about two years ago Kushalani had lodged a complaint with BMC and we were served demolition notice." But when we approached BMC we were given a compromise package alleged the shopkeeper. He further added that to fulfill the compromise  package all the shopkeepers made a contribution of Rs 6,000 each amounting to Rs 2 lakhs and we handed over this amount to a  BMC official alleged this shopkeeper. Similarly, now too we were asked to pay  a huge amount he alleged.
While clarifying with Kushalani's daughter she said that she was not aware of any compromise. Similarly, Kushalani's son too denied any compromise and said that his dad has been fighting for many years to put an end to the illegal  encroachments. His son said that his father was instrumental in removing a panwallah who used to sit near the gate of Emerald Apts." This panwallah after being removed from the spot vented his anger and smashed the wide screen of my car,"said his son. Further, while speaking to Santacruz Patrika his son clarified, "These miscreants had badly attacked my dad who has been fighting for the rights of the people. These shopkeepers have left no foothpath for the taxpayers to walk and BMC officials by accepting bribe have turned a Nelson eye  to these illegal activities. But, now I am determined to take up these issues in a systematic and professional manner and ensure that we citizens are not deprived of our legal rights instead of these illegal  encroachers enjoying all the luxuries at taxpayers cost."
It is also  learnt that most of the shops have ben encroached by political workers who have rented them out at around Rs 6,000-8,000 pm. A case has ben registered by the Vakola Police Station u/s 326 on Surendra Mane and two unidentified persons. When we spoke to Vakola Police if any arrests have taken place they replied that the culprits will be arrested immediately and will not be allowed to go scot free. Further, clarifying if Surendra Mane was involved in the attack, Kushalani daughter replied,"Since the miscreants attaked my dad from behind he could not identify the attackers. But, since Surendra Mane threatened my dad about 15 days ago to mend his ways or face the consequences, a complaint was lodged against Surendra Mane."It is learnt that Surendra Mane owns two of the demolished shops which have been leased on rent.

Who is responsible for Maoist rebellion?

Seeing the condition in some areas it persuades me to think whether the rise of Maoist rebellion is really unjustified. If some body is deprived the very basic needs like food , water and shelter in a democratic system for as long as long as six decades, even a sensible man would lose its faith in democracy system. The same has happened with simple, peace loving tribal people of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa and some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Why are we not seeing the root cause of rebellion? In state like Chhattisgarh which is rich in good quality raw mineral, is being leached out by mining industries, resulting in the annihilation of the tribal people and depriving them the natural resources. Maoist rebellion is result of fear of annihilation among the tribals. It’s totally imperative that growth of India is necessary and mandatory but the bigger question is at what cost. Do not the tribals in India have the same rights as people like us who consider our selves as educated, enlightened and responsible citizens? Aren’t they the citizens of India? When will our system recognize the very root cause of this issue? Will it take some more Dantewada events for the system to understand the ground reality? The 76 CRPF solders who died in the massacre are martyrs, but they were slayed not by some foreign terrorist organizations, but by our own citizens of this country. If a mother has more than one kid and if she cares and adores one of them most of the times, the other siblings are bound to get rebellion as they are not getting fair share of caring and affection which is their right.The governments forcibly possess fertile agriculture lands for diversion to SEZs, mining and industries thereby caring more for the industrialists than tribals….which retaliates into rebellion acts...

Kolovery Cross receives notice for demolition

In accordance to a Supreme Court order, BMC has served notice for the demolition of the Kolovery Cross located near Pride of Kalina, Kalina. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika a local resident of the area who knows the history of the cross said, “The cross is more than 50-years-old and was initially located at Pride of Kalina. But, after Gold Coin Builders took the development of the area he constructed Pride of Kalina building and re-located the cross in the garden. It was only two years ago the cross was fully renovated with the support of residents of Kalina and many well wishers.” “But, now the BMC has served a notice for the demolition of the cross stating that it is obstructing the plans of a 40 feet road that has to be constructed,”emphasised this resident.
As per development plans it is learnt that a 40 feet road is planned from Banquet Plaza, CST Road to Pride of  Kalina. Hence, many argue that if the development work is planned from CST Road, Why have demolition notices not been served to the stream of illegal and encroached structures on the way leading from CST Road to the Cross? Why only a demolition notice has been served on the cross and the illegal structures left un-touched?”Further, there are many SC orders like removal of illegal hawkers, vendors. However, nothing has been done about them and then why are religious structures demolition on the BMC agenda”, echoed any angry resident. Also, a large number of residents pay visit daily to the cross to offer prayers.
It is learnt through residents that MLA Kripashankar Singh has intervened in the matter and has stopped the demolition of the cross. Further, it is also learnt that he has assured the safety of the cross and for that he is ready to go on an andolan and bhook hartal.
 Brihan Mumbai Corporation's (BMC) decision to demolish churches crosses across the city has angered the Christians. The BMC sticking demolition notices on these revered symbols, not just in this suburb, but across the entire city, has left the community fuming. The BMC quotes a 2009 Supreme Court order directing that illegal religious structures obstructing vehicular traffic be removed. Residents say not only are the crosses legal, but that the apex court order had asked states to first formulate a policy on religious structures before ordering demolitions. While the Catholic community is upset with the highhandedness and insensitivity of actually attaching the circular onto these crosses, most of which are historic and legal, the questions many are asking is: why hasn't the civic body attached these same notices onto temples and mosques that are also on the list of structures they have deemed as illegal? Members of the community say they are being targeted.
BMC rder provides for the destruction of religious shrines built after 1964. Local Catholic groups already submitted their papers in 2003 proving the dates of construction of the crosses, all previous to 1964. The municipal authorities deny seeing documents. The demolition is part of a program to improve facilities and infrastructure, which provides for the elimination of places of worship built after 1964 and considered "illegal" because in the way of road widening, road improvements, or constructed on land destined for public services.
Many of these crosses are part of the history and cultural and religious heritage. Previously, they were within the boundaries of Catholic property. When BMC was founded, many areas were reclaimed by the civic body for the construction of roads or other infrastructure, and so the crosses were saved by placing them along the streets

Maharashtra Samarth Kamgar Sanghatana to inaugurate office in Vakola

Nitesh Rane, President of the Swabhiman Sanghatana deeply engrossed while reading a copy of 'Santacruz Patrika' newspaper at his Anand Nagar office, Vakola

Maharashtra is witnessing a new trade union war, with the Maharashtra Samarth Kamgar Sanghatana (MSKS) - backed by Maharashtra’s Industries Minister Narayan Rane - wanting to "take over" Bhartiya Kamgar Sena (BKS) units in a majority of the cities prominent hotels and business establishments. Congress  Minister Narayan Rane aiming to strike at the very support base of the Shiv Sena, his former party, is doing his best to take over trade unions controlled by the Sena-affiliated Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS). The Sena has enjoyed a stranglehold over workers' unions in all these hotels since the 1970s. There is a severe lack of leadership in the Sena. They are not able to interact and solve the workers' problems. Sena's strength among the unions is waning. "The new unions are filling the gap. They are using the same strategies that were used by the Sena in its heydays.
Further, to hot up the war, If Raj’s confidantes are to be believed, the young leader is planning a militant union wing. If Raj succeeds, this will be another debilitating blow for the Shiv Sena. Not long ago, the Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, the Sena’s trade union wing, was breached by Narayan Rane, who walked away with a sizeable number of workers to form Maharashtra Samarth Kamgar Sanghatana.
Not content, Rane has since been relentlessly trying to gain a toe-hold in hotels, airport, hospitals and private limited companies where a Sena union is already in place. Raj’s efforts will, expectedly, hasten the Sena union’s disintegration.
Now, with Nitesh Rane, President of the Swabhiman Sanghatana and Narayan Rane’s son, handling the functioning of Maharashtra Samarth Kamgar Sanghatana various workers and officers from hotels, hospitals, airways, public and private limited companies have been flocking at the newly set up office at Anand Nagar, Vakola to meet Nitesh Rane. During his hectic schedule Nitesh Rane was generous enough to interact with the Editor of Santacruz Patrika and discuss his plans for Maharashtra Samarth Kamgar Sangathana. He also told Santacruz Patrika that the newly formed office at Vakola will be inaugurated sometime in the first week of March.
Earlier, with Shrikant Salmalkar and Jaywant Parab, close confidants of Narayan Rane looking after the union activities, have shown their discontent and expressed their mistake of joining Congress. Shrikant Sarmalkar has also expressed his willingness to go back to the Shiv Sena. Hence, Nitesh has taken it as a challenge and is determined to take Maharashtra Samarth Kamgar Sangathana, a trade militant force to be reckoned in Maharashtra.

Illegal gate to adulterated grease godown finally pulled down

It was a month ago we had carried a lead story on ‘Illegal and adulterated chemical being processed in godowns at Chunnabatti, Kalina’. Our Asst Editor, Sunita D’Silva along with our team around midnight visited Chunnabati at Vakola-Kurla after we received a tip-off regarding manufacturing and storing of adulterated and illegal chemicals in various godowns. At that time a barrel of adulterated acid blasted and the highly dangerous fumes engulfed the entire area. Further, while surveying the area it was also noticed that the gutter on Mithi River has been illegally encroached and illegal activities are being carried out in the area. To hide their illegal adulterated activities an illegal gate had also been fixed whereby prohibiting entry so that their illegal activities can flourish. Inside this area it was learnt that illegal and adulterated grease godown is located which had been locked while our team visited the spot. The illegal adulterated grease carried out in the area was also reported to the local corporator.  The local corporator had been following up with BMC for a long time regarding these illegal encroachments and adulterated chemical godowns. But, no action had been taken by BMC. Further, it was also learnt that with the widening of Mithi River, the illegal adulterated chemical activities which were being carried out at that site have now moved to Chunabatti. Many residents of the area complained and told Santacruz Patrika that these illegal godownds storing adulterated chemicals are highly hazardous and dangerous to the inhabitants of the area.
Then, with the burning of Sonawane by the oil mafia the Maharashtra government have begun raids on illegal and adulterated godowns. The Mumbai crime branch raided a godown in Kalina and seized more than 80,000 litres of adulterated diesel, commonly referred to as black oil.
However, along with the local corporator Alice Therattil we persuaded the matter to ensure that all illegal activities in the area are stopped and the illegal gate being constructed at Ram Pyare Compound is demolished. It was a few days ago the illegal gate at the compound was finally demolished.
While speaking to Alice Therattil she said, “I have been persuading with BMC for a long time but they have been delaying the matter. Also, the police have been delaying the demolition with petty excuses that police force is not available for deployment. Finally, after taking up the matter with Municipal Commissioner and Addnl Commissioner of Police, West, the demolition of the illegal gate was finally carried out.”
Further, while speaking to Omprakash Ram Pyare, son of Ram Pyare he told Santacruz Patrika, “My father who has expired has been living in Ram Pyare Compound for the past 50 years and hence being our property the gate to our compound was installed which is legal.” However, the corporator disputes his claims and clarifies that the plot belongs to the Wadia Trust and BMC had constructed a culvert over the gutter of Mithi River. This plot of land was illegally encroached and with the construction of the gate we have been finding it difficult to clean the gutters as the gate is locked. This in fact leads to choking up of the gutters and heavy flooding in Kalina.
When Santacruz Patrika asked Omprakash Ram Pyare to show the documents to authenticate his claims that the property belongs to his father he was reluctant to show any documents and on the contrary admitted that he would first have to consult a BJP worker of the area before furnishing any documents. The question that arises is – Who is the BJP worker to be consulted for authenticity of proof? Is the BJP worker in hand and glove in helping illegal encroachments and adulterated chemical activities in the area? It has been noticed that many gutters in the area have been choked with adulterated chemicals and grease. The BMC has been extremely lethargic in implementing action in the flourishing of illegal activities at Shastri Nagar and Chunnabatti. Earlier too, a political worker from the area had been trying to encroach a public toilet area for installing an electric cabin which was stalled.

Widening of bridge over Mithi river moving at Snail pace

The proposed widening of the bridge over Mithi river along Kurla-kalina Marg situated in the Kalpana Air India Colony portion was initiated by the local corporator. Because of the narrow bridge abnormal traffic jams have been witnessed by the residents. For the widening of the bridge a contract was awarded in October, 2008 to commence the work from November, 2008. Despite the local corporator pressurizing BMC for the speeding up of the work, it has been almost more than two years there has hardly been any progress. The execution of work was to be done by widening of river to the extent of 100 mtr demolition of existing bridge. During the construction period traffic was to be diverted to CST road and there will be total closure of Kurla-Kalina Road in Kalpana Air Iindia Colony portion.While speaking to Alice Therattil, she told Santacruz Patrika, “I have been regularly corresponding with the Municipal Commissioner, BMC and Deputy Chief Engineer (Bridges). Also when a Jansampark Karyalaya programme was organized in Kalina which was attended by MP Priya Dutt and MLA Kripashankar Singh, the BMC authorities did not respond positively to the various queries raised by the residents of Kalina in regards to the completion of the widening of the bridge.” “With the slow progress of work being carried on the widening of the bridge, I hope the bridge should get completed by the year end.” As per tender the work was to be completed by September, 2010 by has been progressing at a snail pace.

HC asks for speedy inquiry into Kripashankar’s alleged disproportionate assets

The Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department and the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau have been directed by the Bombay High Court to complete the inquiry against Mumbai Congress chief and MLA Kripashankar Singh in an alleged disproportionate assets case of within four weeks. Justices Mohit Shah and SJ Vajifdar, comprising a division bench, also directed the agencies to share information with each other. The directives were passed during the hearing of a PIL filed by one Sanjay Tiwari on allegations that Singh had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. "The inquiry is going on since June last year. They can share information with each other. ACB has limited powers and in such a case, ED and I-T department can help out," chief justice Shah remarked. The PIL which was filed last year also alleges that Singh was close to Madhu Koda, former chief minister of Jharkhand, who is in jail currently over his alleged involvement in a multi-crore hawala scam. There have been several money transactions between the two, the PIL alleges. However, additional solicitor general (ASG) Darius Khambata, counsel for the ED, said that no link between Singh and Koda had been found. "It is not necessary that he (Singh) should have committed all criminal activities along with Koda,'' chief justice Shah remarked. Senior counsel Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Tiwari, argued that between March to November 2009, a total amount of Rs 60 crore had been deposited in the bank accounts of Singh's wife and son. Singh's counsel Janak Dwarkadas, refuted the allegations. Jethmalani argued that, ''Even if there is no Koda angle to the case, the I-T and ED should still look into the amount. The deposit of this amount has been revealed in diaries seized from Koda's residence,'' Jethmalani said. :”Singh's wife owns a 258-acre agricultural land in Ratnagiri worth Rs25 crore, along with the 'the land was purchased when Singh was state home minister and had granted 104 arms licenses to the security firm as a kickback,'' the affidavit further states. The PIL goes on to state that Singh's son, Sanjay, is married to Ankita, the daughter of Kamlesh Singh. Kamlesh Singh was a minister in the Koda cabinet. The PIL alleges that Ankita had received Rs1.75 crore in her account from Kamlesh owner of a private security firm,'' an affidavit filed by Tiwari stated.