Galas8217; encroach playground land

MAY 26: Residents of Malad E may never see the promised playground and fire brigade station as about 12,000 square yards of prime land re...

MAY 26: Residents of Malad E may never see the promised playground and fire brigade station as about 12,000 square yards of prime land reserved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC for these purposes has been encroached upon by anti-social elements.

Local Samajwadi Party corporator A J Saudagar, who opposed the encorachments, has received threats to his life while the BMC, on the other hand, seemed completely indifferent about the entire affair.

The recent demolition drive carried out by the P8217; north ward office failed to remove even a single unauthorised shop or gala belonging to marble merchants amid violent opposition from the encroachers.

In the Development Plan for Malad, one piece of land admeasuring 5,000 sq. yards was reserved for a fire brigade station while another piece admeasuring about 7,000 sq. yards was reserved for a playground.

The land for the playground was reserved after land bearing survey no 22-B was merged with the existing plot.

Despite his efforts to save the land, Saudagar has been able to has achieved little.

8220;When I saw the illegal galas being constructed, I immediately complained to the ward officer. However, nothing was done,8221; he said.

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He finally complained to the zone IV deputy municipal commissioner who directed the ward officer to initiate action against the encroachers which was complied with on May 19.

However, instead of pulling down the half-built galas, the demolition staff removed only the asbestos and tin roofs.

8220;On the same day, I received threats to my life from the local mafia led by Abdul Wahid Khan alias Chikka Mulla,8221; Saudagar said. He alleged that Chikka was a known criminal and was also externed after the 1992-93 riots.

quot;I was also offered handsome bribes to turn a blind eye to the illegalities. I was told that I was meddling with people who have links with important people in the government and I will be killed if I pursued the matter,8221; Saudagar told Express Newsline.

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When the threats persisted, Saudagar lodged a complaint with the Dindoshi police station on May 21.

Chikka, Saudagar alleged, was the main culprit who was suppporting the unauthorised constructions.