
December 28: It was a damp festive season for the parish of Free Methodist Church located at Andheri East. A 1000 sq ft, 13-year old worship hall was demolished by the BMC on Wednesday, without bothering to issue a demolition notice.
But their problems donot end there. The church will have to provide proofs saying that the demolished hall actually existed and that they have been paying property tax for the structure all these years and that the only new addition to the structure was the RCC roof, which was under construction to substitute the old asbestos one. Their immediate concern also includes the instigating activities8217; of their neighbour, a high-profilecorporate company, which Rev Shirish Ahaley of the church alleges has been 8220;instigating the BMC to carry out demolitions of our church and school building.8221;
But the parish has yet got over the anguish brought about by the demolition. 8220;They came from the backyard from our neighbours end and began demolishing the hall with bull-dozers assisted with equipments like gas-cutters provided by the people of the neighbouring private company,8221;said Joseph Massey a member of the church. 8220;No notice was given.8221;
When asked whether the church had taken permission from the Corporation to change the asbestos structure to RCC one, he said he was not aware of it butthe contractor who was entrusted with the work was asked to do so. 8220;The building was in a dilapidated condition and called for immediate repairs,8221; Ahaley said.
However Ward officer, G P Rathod narrates a different story. 8220;There were no walls. We have not demolished any walls. Only iron colums supporting a RCC structure which was covering a land between the church8217;s school building and boundary wall was demolished,8221; he says. 8220;We did not take any assistance from any private company,8221; he adds. 8220;We had sent a notice 2-3months back asking them to stop the RCC work.8221;
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