Chaos reigns as Mantralaya is mobbed for 2nd day in row
Prakash Ambedkar, 27 others arrested, released on bail.
A day after hundreds lined up at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Mantralaya to claim ‘low cost’ homes in Powai, the state government on Wednesday admitted there was an “intelligence failure”, even as chaos erupted over the purported scheme for the second day.
After several hundred aspirants clutching bogus forms for a subsidised apartment attempted to enter Mantralaya Wednesday afternoon, the police arrested Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar and his followers in the evening for distributing the forms to individuals across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
“We have booked Ambedkar and 27 of his followers under sections 37 and 135 of the Mumbai Police Act. They were later released on bail,” said inspector Rajendra Patil of the Marine Drive police station.
As a crowd gathered outside Mantralaya through Wednesday morning, heavy police bandobast ensured that no one went upstairs to the CMO. Signs were prominently displayed requesting people to go back, and police stations instructed to register offenses against those found distributing the forms.
By afternoon, as both entrances to Mantralaya were temporarily closed, claimants clashed with the police. At both entrances, the police had to push back people from storming inside the building.
At a pre-cabinet meeting of the Congress on Wednesday, senior Congress ministers termed the entire episode a “gross intelligence failure”, pointing fingers at the NCP-led home department. Senior NCP minister responded by questioning the manner in which the CMO handled the situation.
Bogus forms were distributed among people, giving them the impression that they could get a house in Powai for a meagre Rs 54,000 under a low-cost housing scheme purportedly floated by CM Prithviraj Chavan.
Chavan Wednesday directed the police to initiate an inquiry and take strict action against those responsible for distribution of the forms. “It is an act of extreme mischievousness to use my name for spreading rumours. I have asked the police to register an FIR. The police will inquire if this was an act of protest or mischief. Strict action will be taken against those responsible,” Chavan said.
At the Congress pre-cabinet meeting, however, ministers demanded action against police officials responsible for the “intelligence failure”. Sources said Industries Minister Narayan Rane argued that it was the duty of the intelligence wing of the police to keep the CMO abreast of sensitive developments. Minorities’ Development minister Naseem Khan demanded action against the “cops responsible for the serious lapse”.
A senior NCP minister argued that the CMO’s decision to accept the bogus forms had fueled the controversy. Chavan defended his office saying the dispatch cell in the CMO has to accept letters from citizens.
The issue was also raised during the cabinet meeting, when ministers from both sides demanded action against the miscreants.
Chavan evaded questions on action against developer Niranjan Hiranandani for alleged violations in the Powai scheme. He said the matter was sub-judice. “I will get further information in this regard,” he said.
mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com
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