Golibar residents cry foul, say Medha stalling revamp project

Golibar residents marched to the suburban collector’s office on Monday demanding the Ganeshkripa Society demolitions continue, two days after the state government acceded to activist Medha Patkar’s demands to suspend demolitions.

Golibar residents marched to the suburban collector’s office on Monday demanding the Ganeshkripa Society demolitions continue, two days after the state government acceded to activist Medha Patkar’s demands to suspend demolitions.

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One of Patkar’s demands was that demolitions be halted until inquiries were conducted into allegations of signature forgery in the consent letters of Golibar residents. The government assured Patkar no demolitions would take place till the inquiry ended. Residents of the Golibar area who consented to Shivalik Ventures as their developer carried out a protest rally against Patkar alleging her intervention in the case had slowed down their rehabilitation. They have asked the government to continue the enquiry without halting the demolition.

“There is too much delay in our rehabilitation. Although the high court ordered the demolition in September, and the supreme court concurred with its decision, a few people in the society have been stopping it every time,” said Shubhangini Shinde, chief promoter of Ganeshkripa society.

“Nearly 7,500 people have left their houses consenting to the developer hoping for free rehabilitation. We demand the state government to consider them,” said Kalimuddin Shaikh, a resident who has stayed on rent paid by the developer for the past year.

Patkar had gone on a hunger strike protesting the demolitions, demanding an inquiry into allegations that the consent letters of society members provided by the developers had forged signatures. Her fast lasted nine days before the state government acceded to her demands.

Two committees were formed to investigate the alleged forgery cases. “We are disappointed that no member in the committee belongs to the Golibar area,” said Shaikh.

The suburban collector Nirmal Deshmukh said: “I have submitted the demands by Golibar residents to the state government. They will now take action on it.”