Special force to tackle Mhada encroachers

Special force will be deployed to accompany officials as they act against encroachers of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) flats at Pratiksha Nagar in Sion, home minister RR Patil said on Monday.

Special force will be deployed to accompany officials as they act against encroachers of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) flats at Pratiksha Nagar in Sion, home minister RR Patil said on Monday.

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The minister admitted that there are nearly 8,000 encroachers occupying the Mhada tenements illegally at Pratiksha Nagar.

“The illegal occupation of flats is a chronic problem at Pratiksha Nagar. It has led to several law and order problems. So, as an exceptional case, Mhada officials would be given special protection,” Patil said.

Madhu Chavan (Congress) raised the issue of encroachment in Mhada tenements during the question hour. He said that the encroachers resort to illegal activities that create nuisance for residents. Mhada officials cannot do much in the absence of police protection, he said.

Mangesh Sangle (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) alleged that some of the residents had obtained houses in Pratiksha Nagar by submitting fake documents.

Patil said that Mhada should streamline its manner of functioning, as several eligible residents are deprived of tenements owing to the lacunae in the allotment process.