Cops ‘assault, illegally detain’ activist protesting demolition
Social activist Aftab Siddique was allegedly assaulted and detained without charge by police officials during a protest against the demolition of houses at a 150-year-old Khar society on Wednesday.
Siddique, who heads a Khar Advanced Locality Management (ALM) group, said cops pulled her hair and kicked her before dragging her to the police van. Other people protesting peacefully at Saint Anthony Cooperative Society, including women, were also beaten up and detained, she alleged.
Bandra MLA Ashish Shelar and Siddique met zonal deputy police commissioner Satyanarayan Chaudhary on Friday and demanded an inquiry. Chaudhary had reportedly asked for the video footage that shows the alleged assault.
Siddique alleged that SRA officials conspired with Derisa Builders and went ahead with the demolition even though the court had asked them to honour the law. “The court had not issued any demolition order, but SRA officials still went ahead with it,” she said.
Mirror could not reach Derisa Builders for acomment.
Last month, seven houses were torn down at the society. On Wednesday, the residents, along with Siddique, decided to protest against the planned demolition of 20 hours. Around 300 cops accompanied the demolition team. Officials from the district collector’s office were also present at the site.
“We demanded an explanation, but they could not provide one. Suddenly, police personnel, including female constables, started dragging us away from the site,” Siddique alleged. “I tried to hold onto a pole, but they started pulling my hair and kicked me. They dragged me all the way to the police van.”
Twelve other protesters, including four women, were also allegedly assaulted. The group was taken to Pupils High School around 2 pm and held there without charge till 7.20 pm, Siddique claimed. “My leg had swollen and was bleeding so I asked a friend to inform senior police officers about the detention and request them to let me visit a hospital,” she said. “The divisional ACP came, but said I would have to seek treatment on my own. Despite repeated requests, they did not allow us to leave before 7.20 pm.”
Siddique, who heads a Khar Advanced Locality Management (ALM) group, said cops pulled her hair and kicked her before dragging her to the police van. Other people protesting peacefully at Saint Anthony Cooperative Society, including women, were also beaten up and detained, she alleged.
Bandra MLA Ashish Shelar and Siddique met zonal deputy police commissioner Satyanarayan Chaudhary on Friday and demanded an inquiry. Chaudhary had reportedly asked for the video footage that shows the alleged assault.
The society, on Khar 48th Road, is also known as Fernandes chawl. The residents had entered into an agreement for redevelopment with Derisa Builders in 2009. The project ran into trouble after 27 of the total 47 residents moved court against the builder alleging forgery. Several complaints were filed with the police, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), the collector’s office and even the Bombay High Court.
Siddique alleged that SRA officials conspired with Derisa Builders and went ahead with the demolition even though the court had asked them to honour the law. “The court had not issued any demolition order, but SRA officials still went ahead with it,” she said.
Mirror could not reach Derisa Builders for acomment.
Last month, seven houses were torn down at the society. On Wednesday, the residents, along with Siddique, decided to protest against the planned demolition of 20 hours. Around 300 cops accompanied the demolition team. Officials from the district collector’s office were also present at the site.
“We demanded an explanation, but they could not provide one. Suddenly, police personnel, including female constables, started dragging us away from the site,” Siddique alleged. “I tried to hold onto a pole, but they started pulling my hair and kicked me. They dragged me all the way to the police van.”
Twelve other protesters, including four women, were also allegedly assaulted. The group was taken to Pupils High School around 2 pm and held there without charge till 7.20 pm, Siddique claimed. “My leg had swollen and was bleeding so I asked a friend to inform senior police officers about the detention and request them to let me visit a hospital,” she said. “The divisional ACP came, but said I would have to seek treatment on my own. Despite repeated requests, they did not allow us to leave before 7.20 pm.”
