Mumbai: The BMC and the Mumbai Police, in a joint drive, demolished encroachments in an Oshiwara housing society after BJP MLA Ameet Satam complained that a portion of the society’s land had been encroached upon and that the residents, particularly senior citizens and women, were facing intimidation by the encroachers. Satam alleged that illegal activities were being carried out by the encroachers and described the matter as a case of “land jihad”. A BMC K-West ward official said that about eight to 10 semi-permanent commercial structures, which had been constructed illegally on a plot of land owned by the Vijay Vishal Cooperative Housing Society in Oshiwara, were demolished.“The housing society had communicated with us about the encroachments and lodged complaints on several occasions. Accordingly, we issued notices to the encroachers and conducted hearings. A speaking order was also issued before the demolition action was carried out. All legal procedures were followed,” the official said.Satam had written to Mumbai police commissioner Deven Bharti and BMC commissioner Ashwini Bhide on June 13, seeking their intervention regarding the encroachments, unauthorised constructions and law-and-order concerns within the residential complex. In his letter, Satam cited representations made by society members, who stated that senior citizens and women were facing intimidation. “Unauthorised structures were being constructed within the society premises despite the housing society possessing ownership documents, including a conveyance deed, Index II records and property tax receipts,” Satam said.The MLA further alleged that a criminal had occupied an open plot within the society compound and erected structures there. “Society members informed me that Building No. 3 was also being trespassed upon and that goats, dogs and ducks were being kept within the premises, leading to safety and hygiene concerns. The residents also complained that the area outside the society was being used for activities such as alcohol consumption, drug use and eve-teasing, resulting in law-and-order issues,” Satam added.
