In a bid to free public land from the clutches of encroachers, Kalina residents have decided to stage a unique protest to draw the authorities’ attention to the issue.
In a bid to free public land from the clutches of encroachers, Kalina residents have decided to stage a unique protest to draw the authorities’ attention to the issue. Around 5,000 residents will offer a rose each to Vishwasrao Patil, the suburban collector, on February 15.
The protest is against the construction of a hall behind Hotel Geeta-Vihar in Kalina. The hall has allegedly been constructed, thanks to Congressman Krispashankar Singh’s MLA’s local area development funds and around 2,000 sq ft of land has been fenced off.
“The land belongs to the collector. Children used to play here and senior citizens would gather there every evening,” said Anil Upadhyay of Kalina Residents Association.
Upadhyay said a complaint had been lodged with the Vakola police and also with the suburban collector. He alleged that the hall was being used solely for Congress activities. “Though the hall was claimed to have been built for public, no one is allowed there. As a result, the children have lost a playground,” said Upadhyay.
There was an effort to start the power supply to the hall three days back, but residents prevented the installation of a power connection, Upadhyay added.
Singh, however, was not available for comments on the issue. Congress party worker from the area, Johnson Therattil denied the allegations. He said, “Congress has not started any office in the hall. It is being used for the activities like social gatherings and tailoring classes for local women. People with vested interests are misleading the public.”
Anil Kharade, senior police inspector, Vakola police, said, “Some residents of Kalina had come to the police station with an application for investigations into the matter. They were advised to lodge the complaint with the competent authority as it is a civil matter. No formal FIR has been filed in the matter.”
Upadhyay said residents and traders from the area would participate in the protest. Patil, however, refused to comment on the issue.
a_ashwin@dnaindia.net
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