Day 3 of drama at Mumbai's Campa Cola society, eviction process to begin today

Mumbai: It's the third day of drama at Mumbai's Campa Cola Society as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials will again reach the society compound on Sunday to begin the eviction process. On Saturday, the BMC failed to evict residents of the 102 illegal flats that are to be demolished by the Supreme Court's order.

The residents refused to let officials enter the compound. The Municipal Corporation has filed an FIR against the residents for unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint and obstructing civil servants in discharging their duty. Officials said that they will cut power and water supply to the unauthorised flats, but will not use force.

On Friday, 17 days after the Supreme Court rejected a petition by the residents against its earlier order asking them to vacate the flats, officials of the Municipal Corporation reached the complex along with the police to cut power, water and piped gas supply to the illegal flats. However, they were prevented by slogan-shouting residents of the Campa Cola Housing Society in upscale Worli, who closed the iron gates and placed bamboo poles to prevent them from entering.

"After issuing notices to the residents of Campa Cola under Section 488 of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) Act, the deadline for the residents to vacate their flats has ended on Saturday. We have only come to cut off the water, electric and gas supply of the residents," an official present at the site said.

A 'havan' was also performed within the compound seeking divine intervention to save the illegal flats from demolition where occupants have been living for close to three decades. "Inside the gate of our campus, the women have formed the first line of defence and will prevent any official from entering the premises. We have no other place to go in the monsoon season, hence we will fight till our last breath," Ankit Garg, a resident, said.

The BMC will start demolishing structures in the coming days. Two JCB machines have been positioned outside the gate. The BMC will also be video recording the entire eviction process to provide proof to the Supreme court.