From: Initiative India <initiativeindia@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 15, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Subject: [initiative-india] Mumbai Slum-dwellers' Satyagraha for justice intensifies
To:
A Wing First Floor, Haji Habib Building, Naigaon Cross Road
Dadar (E), Mumbai-400 014 Ph. No-2415 0529 E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
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Satyagraha by thousands of slum-dwellers in Mumbai intensifies
Hundreds of women and men storm Mankhurd Police Station
Force Police to register FIR against Reliance Energy for death by electrocution
The indefinite and spontaneous Satyagraha launched by the thousands of slum-dwellers in Mumbai against the unjust demolition of the Annabhau Sathenagar Basti in violation of their constitutional, legal and human rights entered its third day today. Organized under the banner of Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan, hundreds of people, led by the valiant women from the bastis challenged the increasingly corporatized State that is bulldozing its own people to make 'space' for the plush infrastructure of private capital.
Hundreds of people from the basti stormed the Mankhurd police station today afternoon and demanded justice for Shivaji Bhutekar, whose unnatural death due to electrocution was sought to be passed off as an 'accident'. People did not budge and his body was not cremated until post-mortem was conducted on him and a First Information Report registered against the Reliance Energy Company, for being responsible for the death due to its negligent and culpable act. With the electricity services in the area privatized and handed over to Reliance Energy, the company, as in the cases of demolitions had immediately severed its power connections. But there were certain connections which were put in place by the people, through which electricity was passing and Shivaji died a painful death when he was repairing the fan of this home.
When the police also tried to defend their earlier illegal act by arguing that 'there was no lathi-charge', the women bared their wounds to demonstrate the brute physical force unleashed upon them and not sparing even elders and children. "What more proof do u need of the violence that has been inflicted on us?" an enraged Nasreen questioned.
At the Satyagraha sthal today, people also denounced Chief Minister Mr. Ashok Chavan's reported statement from Nanded that removal of such encroachments is inevitable if development is to take place! The Andolan feels that the statement reeks of ignorance and insensitivity, since the CM did not even care to find out if at all this attempt to 'remove encroachment' had a better 'public purpose' to achieve and did not even know as to what extent of indefensible atrocities have been committed upon people.
Support for the brutalized, albeit resilient people poured in from different quarters of the city in the form of provisions, clothes and other necessities. The Associations of Railway Boot Polish Workers and Small Railway Caters have also chipped in to contribute to the people's needs and cause. The Andolan also acknowledges the coverage that the just struggle of the basti-dwellers has received in the press. We look forward to your extended hand of support and solidarity in this moment of crisis and hope you will write letters to the concerned authorities demanding action and also volunteer in whatevery way possible.
Santosh Thorat Jameela Begum Simpreet Singh Sumit Wajale Medha Patkar
Contact Nos: 09423965153 / 09969363065
National Alliance of People's Movements; National Office: Room No. 29-30, 1st floor, 'A' Wing, Haji Habib Bldg, Naigaon Cross Road, Dadar (E), Mumbai - 400 014;
Ph: 022-24150529
E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
Delhi Contact : 09818905316
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Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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