Citizens to ask CM to probe into slum rehab projects

Mumbaiites affected by slum rehabilitation related issues like forcible eviction, papers being forged, and so on, are coming together to demand an inquiry into all projects undertaken by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).

Citizens have been approaching Medha Patkar and residents of Ganeshkripa society in Khar (see box: The Khar story) for help in their fight against the SRA, alleging several irregularities. Residents and activists are even planning to speak to the chief minister to set up an inquiry into SRA projects.

“We want an inquiry as, in most cases, rules are not followed and many times, relevant papers are forged,” Patkar said.

Slum dwellers from areas like Jogeshwari, Mankhurd, Ambujwadi and some other societies in Khar are coming together to discuss common grievances. “Almost every SRA project has some malpractice. It is important to know how the authorities are playing with the lives of the poor,” said Naveen Kumtha, a resident of a Jogeshwari slum, a part of which was demolished recently.

In an attempt to spread awareness, slum dwellers of other areas along with activists like Patkar, Vivek Pandit and other residents are conducting meetings with people of other societies and asking them to speak out about the issues affecting them and fight for justice. “We want to unite people in large numbers and only then will the government start observing and working,” Pandit said.

Not just discussions, a video of the police forcing residents to move out of their houses during demolition are also being broadcast on the local cable network. “We have proof of police using violence to get us to vacate our homes so that they can be demolished,” said resident Dutta Mane, whose wife was hospitalised with head and neck injuries after one such incident. A blog www.khareastandolan.wordpress.com has been started to spread the word.Citizens to ask CM to probe into slum rehab projects
Pooja Domadia
htmetro@hindustantimes.com
Mumbai
Mumbaiites affected by slum rehabilitation related issues like forcible eviction, papers being forged, and so on, are coming together to demand an inquiry into all projects undertaken by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).

Citizens have been approaching Medha Patkar and residents of Ganeshkripa society in Khar (see box: The Khar story) for help in their fight against the SRA, alleging several irregularities. Residents and activists are even planning to speak to the chief minister to set up an inquiry into SRA projects.

“We want an inquiry as, in most cases, rules are not followed and many times, relevant papers are forged,” Patkar said.

Slum dwellers from areas like Jogeshwari, Mankhurd, Ambujwadi and some other societies in Khar are coming together to discuss common grievances. “Almost every SRA project has some malpractice. It is important to know how the authorities are playing with the lives of the poor,” said Naveen Kumtha, a resident of a Jogeshwari slum, a part of which was demolished recently.

In an attempt to spread awareness, slum dwellers of other areas along with activists like Patkar, Vivek Pandit and other residents are conducting meetings with people of other societies and asking them to speak out about the issues affecting them and fight for justice. “We want to unite people in large numbers and only then will the government start observing and working,” Pandit said.

Not just discussions, a video of the police forcing residents to move out of their houses during demolition are also being broadcast on the local cable network. “We have proof of police using violence to get us to vacate our homes so that they can be demolished,” said resident Dutta Mane, whose wife was hospitalised with head and neck injuries after one such incident. A blog www.khareastandolan.wordpress.com has been started to spread the word.