05 October,2016 05:13 PM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
In spite of the NGT order calling for status quo on construction activity in the colony, residents allege, over 50 dumpers put debris on the plot
After a week of misses, the Aarey CEO office caught those operating the bulldozer for levelling land in the colony and seized the machine
Even as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order related to Aarey Milk Colony clearly states as it is still hearing the matter, there should be no construction activity in the colony, a bulldozer was caught trying to level a portion of land belonging to the colony. The Aarey CEO office seized it.
Senior officials from the security department of the colony have also alleged that the action they take does not get the required support and protection from the local police station.
An official from the Aarey CEO office said, "As the NGT is hearing a petition filed by green activists in connection with the colony, there is a status quo on construction activity. But we were told that an earth-levelling machine was being used to straighten a portion of land. So, we reached the spot and stopped the work, but lack of support from the local police made our work difficult."
Plot of the matter
On Saturday, more than half an acre plot belonging to the colony adjacent to the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road was being leveled. When Aarey CEO office staff reached the spot to stop the work, the people present there told them that the land was a private parcel.
"The person doing the work showed us documents of the land, claiming it was his land, but we have verified the land records and 7/12 extracts, and it has been found that it is ours," said Aarey CEO Gajanan Raut.
Colony's security department officials also told mid-day that over the last one week more than 50 dumpers deposited debris on the half-acre plot, and on Saturday, the work was started.
"We have been following up on this issue since more than a week, but we were unable to catch hold of the dumper owners; every time, before we could reach the location, they would run away. On Saturday, we got a tip-off from our people that a bulldozer is levelling the land; hence, we went and took action," said Aarey security officer Pawar.
"We have been requesting the local police to provide us with protection, but they keep saying they have less staff or personnel are busy. What is also shocking is the fact that the police ask us about the sections they should apply on those caught."
Taking stock
It is also said that a land mafia might be involved in this, as the location where the dumping was being done is adjacent to JVLR at a prime spot.
The green activists too feel that it was the duty of the Aarey police to take action against the person or people involved.
Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti said, "The policemen posted at the colony should have filed a case against those responsible as any construction work or land levelling there is a violation of the NGT order."
The Aarey CEO office and activists are also planning to prepare a report about the same and submit to the NGT in the next hearing.
