India

Will open our gates for BMC officials to execute their duties: Campa Cola residents

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Mumbai: The residents of the Campa Cola society, who stalled the demolition of their flats for two days, said on Sunday that they will open the society’s gate for officials to execute their duties as they have realised “fighting will not get them anything.”

Earlier, the BMC had given these residents some more time to open the gate of the society. The civic body has said that they will only cut electricity, water and gas pipeline connections and won’t demolish the building.

Reportedly, one of the residents said, “We apologies to the BMC for the protest. But it is the question of saving out homes. The BMC can disconnect water and electricity. We realise protesting won’t get us anywhere. We have to explore legal options.”

“We met Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for an hour and told him that we are willing to comply with the authorities,” the resident said.

According to media reports, they also said that despite having done nothing wrong, they were willing to compromise.

Earlier in the day, BMC Deputy Commissioner Anand Waghlarkar had warned the residents of facing serious repercussions if they continue to create roadblocks in BMC’s work.

“Like we came in the other two days, today also we have come prepared at the unauthorised flats in order to cut all the services like electricity, water and gas supply. We have been trying to persuade them for the last two days but they are not ready to listen. Instead they have closed their doors and are objecting on our work and they are making a big mistake,” Waghlarkar said.

“We could have used force, but if they continue to show defiance then we have to take strong steps. As per situation we will take a decision,” he added.

The BMC had filed a police complaint against the flat owners for trying to prevent officials from implementing the Supreme Court order to raze the illegal building.

Anand Waghralkar, BMC deputy commissioner, had said on Saturday that the residents should not take the law in their own hands. He had also added that the police will enquire about those who have stopped us from doing our duty after identifying them.

The BMC was supposed to begin the building’s demolition on Friday, by disconnecting power, water and gas supplies to all illegal flats. The residents, however, blocked the attempts of the authorities to enter the compounds.

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