AID - NAPM PROTESTS DEMOLITIONS IN RAFIK NAGAR, GOVANDI, MUMBAI.

National Alliance of People's Movement protests against the brutal demolitions in Rafik Nagar by Municipal Corporation with the help of police. About 350 -400 houses in Rafik Nagar was bulldozed today near Rafik Nagar, Govandi, Mumabi.

People were living in 'Kabaristan' (Cemetery) after their houses were demolished in the last demolition drive. The officials came today with Bulldozers and forcefully evicted the people from the kabaristan and arrested the activists and people who resisted and asserted their right to shelter. The police then forcefully arrested 20 people including activists who were leading the protests. Mr. Simpreet Singh of NAPM was dragged through the ground and thrown into the vehicle. One pregnant woman, Ms Pramila Chaudhari, was manhandled and arrested. The arrested people were taken to Nehru Nagar Police station at Chembur.

Hundreds of people have marched to the Police station demanding unconditional release of their arrested colleagues.

It is sad that the husband of congress corporater, Mastan Sheikh, was personally present during the demolition and was pointing out the activists to be arrested. The restart of demolitions with out any rehabilitation is deplorable and inhuman. It will be good for the ruling party to remember that the people have a vote in the coming elections.

NAPM along with its allies and associates will fight this builder - politician nexus to grab the land of the poor. We demand immediate stopping of the demolition until full rehabilitation plan is made, discussed, consent taken from and fully implemented.

We request our friends and supporters to write to Chairperson of NAC Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh and Home Minister R. R. Patel condemning the incident and not restart the demolitions until there is an acceptable space and plan for rehabilitation.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi, President National Advisory Committee,

Tel: 011-23014481/23012656, Fax: 011-23018651
Email: 10janpath@vsnl.net, soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in

Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Fax - 022- 22029214 / 23631446

Phone: 23634950:

Email: chiefminister@maharashtra.gov.in

R.R. Patil, Deputy C.M., Maharashtra
FAX: 022 - 22024873
Phone: 22022401 & 22024300
Email: deputychiefminister@maharashtra.gov.in