Locals to protest against land sharks on R-Day

This Republic Day, residents and shop owners on the Oshiwara-Lokhandwala stretch will raise their voices against illegal encroachment by builders and developers in their area.

“The entire stretch has several open spaces and mangroves that are attractive to land grabbers,” said filmmaker-activist Ashok Pandit, who will be part of a January 26 rally, along with the recently inititiated Oshiwara Lokhandwala Citizens’ Association, to garner attention and support for the cause. Over 600 housing societies, hundreds of shop owners and several schools will participate in the march.

Activists and residents in the area lamented that over the years, land sharks had been illegally grabbing vacant plots and choking mangroves by dumping debris on them.

“While there have always been individual voices of dissent, this is the first time that like-minded people have formed an organisation to collectively work towards bringing about change,” Pandit added.