CAMPA COLA – WORLI – MUMBAI –
1. As a
prelude to demolishing the illegal flats in the high rise complex in south
Mumbai, civic officials today disconnected water, electricity and gas supply to
eight of the flats that have already been vacated by their owners.
2. Officials
say they will keep returning every day to ensure that the Supreme Court's order
to demolish 102 illegal flats in the compound is followed. The court's deadline
to vacate the flats ended on Monday.
3. Residents
of these illegal flats have refused to budge, saying they were duped by
builders. They locked the gates to the complex and
blocked all access with their cars, to stop the demolition teams from entering.
4. "We
are trying to handle the situation peacefully and are avoiding using
force," said Kishore Kshirsagar, deputy commissioner, Brihanmumbai
Municipal Corporation (BMC).
5. The
residents have pinned their diminishing hopes on Maharashtra Chief Minister
Prithviraj Chavan, who today asked the Centre's top lawyer, the Attorney
General, whether an ordinance - or an executive order - can save the homes.
"The BMC action is according to the Supreme Court verdict. We are trying
to give some relief to the occupants. We are in touch with our legal counsel.
Can't talk on what our next step would be," Mr Chavan said.
6. "The
Maharashtra chief minister must state his intent and ability (or legal
inability) to help," tweeted Milind Deora, the Congress MP from Mumbai
South.
7. Seven
high-rises were constructed at what is called the Campa Cola Compound, between
1981 and 1989. The builders had permission for only five floors, but
constructed several more. One of the buildings, Midtown, has 20 floors. Another
building, Orchid, has 17.
8. The
residents have been fighting a legal battle since 2005, when they first went to
court for water supply and regularization.
9. The
Supreme Court asked the BMC to investigate, and the civic body served
demolition notices for all flats constructed above the fifth floor, which it
said were illegal.
10.
The ruling Congress is cautious about
skirting court orders.
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