MNS men assault activist for raising hoarding issue

A mob of over 80 MNS workers stormed the BMC’s H-west ward office in Bandra on Saturday and roughed up a civic activist who had complained against the illegal hoardings in the area. Some of the hoardings were birthday wishes for ward 92’s corporator, Geeta Chavan’s husband.

Activist Aftab Siddique, who is also the president of ALM 144 in Khar, had sent a complaint via e-mail on Wednesday. He also attended a public grievance meeting on Friday where he questioned the BMC’s failure in abiding by HC orders.

On Saturday, ward’s assistant commissioner Prashant Sapkale had told a senior licence officer to initiate action for removal of the banners and file a complaint as per the Mumbai Public Defacement Act. This enraged the corporator and, on getting a tip-off from the ward office about Siddique’s presence, the mob, led by Chavan, entered the office.

Siddique said, “They pulled by hand and snatched my bag. Chavan even threatened me, saying she will call all the MNS workers in the city to hit me.”

When called, Chavan said, “If you want my interview, visit my office tomorrow.”