Women put up fight against slum removal officers

The encroachments removal squad of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had to stop its demolition activities on Saturday after slum dwellers threatened to immolate themselves.

The BMC initiated action against 22 huts on the road near Mahim municipal school.

The action was planned under the Mahatma Gandhi Pathkranti Yojana to clear the footpaths. The squad started the removal of the huts and demolished eight huts on the footpath.

While the demolition was on, some women came forward and sprinkled kerosene on themselves, threatening to set themselves ablaze if the municipal corporation kept the demolition going. They also got into a verbal duel with officials. 

The civic officials were forced to stop the demolition and return to office. “We will carry the action in the coming days with proper police protection,” said Devendrakumar Jain, assistant municipal commissioner of G North ward.