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Maharashtra MLAs refuse to meet Mahul residents seeking implementation of HC order on relocation

By A Representative
Angry Mahul residents, facing health related issues due to high level of pollution, hit the streets and gheraoed fives MLAs outside their residences and offices. The MLAs were Prakash Mehta, Ghatkopar (East), BJP; Ram Kadam, Ghatkopar (West), BJP; Parag Alavani, Andheri (West), BJP; Sanjay Potnis, Santacruz Kalina, Shiv Sena; and Trupti Sawant, Bandra, Shiv Sena.
The action followed the Bombay High Court order to the Government of Maharashtra to either relocate or compensate enough so as to enable the people to live on rent at a better place by October 1. Despite the order, there is no news about the decision of the government, the reason why Mahul residents decided to ask about it from their representatives.
Listed as voters in the previous place of residence, from where they have been shifted to Mahul, the Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan (GBGBA), the NGO that represents them, said, "MLAs of these areas are still accountable to them. They are duty bound for the safety of Mahul residents. However, when the Mahul residents approached the MLAs they found their representatives running away from backdoors."
It added, "Ram Kadam of BJP openly bluffed the protestors. He sent words through the Assistant Commissioner of Police, that he would address the public but later it was found that he escaped from the backdoor of the building. He was attending a training camp of BJP workers in Patidar Samaj Hall. In Bandra, the MLA sent in the word that she was unwilling to meet. It was a show of complete breach of faith poor people have in their representative."

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