Says will demolish illegal construction in two weeks if his trust won’t do it
A mezzanine floor has been constructed illegally inside the library
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has warned of demolition action against a trust running a library-cum study centre, intended for underprivileged children, at Shivaji Nagar in Govandi. According to BMC's M East ward, the illegal extension/construction was found during the civic body's joint inspection last month.
Following mid-day's report on July 25, after local residents levelled allegations of encroachment and misuse of the space by local MLA Abu Azmi and his party workers, the BMC issued a notice to the Niyaz Ahmed Minority Educational & Welfare Trust on July 27. The trust was asked to remove the illegally constructed portion—a mezzanine floor inside the library—or face demolition action by the civic body. Azmi is the founder-president of the trust. Incidentally, the civic body had written to Azmi on July 19, cautioning him against using the library-cum study centre—originally intended for use by underprivileged children—for political events and meetings.
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Complainant Nafees Ansari from NGO Govandi Citizens Forum, who wrote to the civic body about the issue, told mid-day that the residents suspect the centre is being encroached upon by the MLA and party workers. “I had informed the BMC several times about the MLA and his party workers using the premises for political events. Following my complaint, the BMC found violations wherein the premises had been used for political meetings, party functions and events. They also illegally made a mezzanine floor and installed speakers with plans to use the premises regularly if nobody raised the issue,” he said, adding that the impact of mid-day's report made M East ward officials issue the demolition notice.
According to an official from M East ward, a joint inspection last month found that no permission had been granted for the said construction. “We have written to the trust and given them 15 days to remove the additional illegal extension/construction done over the 25 m X 25 m approved area. We have warned them that if the illegal portion is not removed, we will demolish it,” the official said.
Threat to life and image
On August 8, complainants and residents of Govandi wrote to the local police citing they are facing a threat to their lives. The letter reads: “Concerning the letter dated May 23, 2023, we would like to reiterate the threat posed by the local ruling political party (Samajwadi Party) of 171 Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar Constituency.
Being a social organisation we have time and again raised concerns, such as fighting for the open space, lack of cemetery space and other important issues of those in our constituency. During one such instance, the rank and file of the Samajwadi Party including MLA Abu Asim Azmi gathered to discuss the wall collapse at the Rafi Nagar Cemetery in July where an ex-corporator and other party cadres can be heard brazenly requesting the MLA to file false cases against NGOs and individuals associated with the campaign.”
Ansari said that they have learnt from a reliable source that the party establishment has decided to file a specific offence of robbery and theft against those involved. Another complainant, Ateeq Ahmed Khan, said, “This transpired after the M East ward issued a demolition notice for encroachment and illegal construction in the library. So in the event of death/physical assault or false implication in cases, the Samajwadi Party, its pPresident and other party workers should be held responsible.”
15 days
Time given to carry out demolition
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