Four BMC workers assaulted at razing drive

Mumbai: Four BMC workers were assaulted with iron pipes and belts while they were carrying out a demolition drive at Rathodi in Malvani, Malad West. The civic body team, though, managed to demolish a 28-room unauthorised chawl, spread over a 7,000-square-foot area.
According to the FIR filed by BMC sub-engineer from P-North Ward, a petition was filed in Bombay High Court regarding unauthorised construction on a plot of land near Cherry Studio in Rathodi village. Subsequently, BMC officials investigated and found unauthorised construction on the land. After following legal procedures, a demolition drive was initiated from March 19.
During the ongoing drive, on March 26, two unidentified men and one woman arrived at the spot and tried to prevent the demolition process by arguing with the labourers. Later, the two men assaulted two labourers with an iron pipe and injured them while the woman assaulted two other labourers with a leather belt. When frightened labourers began to run, the two men followed them on a motorcycle and assaulted them with the iron pipe. Subsequently, civic officials stopped the demolition drive and took the injured workers to hospital for treatment. The demolition drive was carried out as per instructions of P-North ward officer Kundan Valvi and designated officer Sagar Rane.
BMC officials said people associated with the encroachment mafia were behind the attempts to disrupt the drive. Subsequently, Malvani police filed an FIR against the accused. The civic body will continue its drive against unauthorised constructions in Rathodi, Kharodi, and Chikuwadi.