"Action will be taken against Bangladeshis, land mafia": BJP's Kirit Somaiya on anti-encroachment drive near Bandra station
Mumbai, May 24
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Sunday said action will be taken against Bangladeshi infiltrators and land mafia as he visited a demolition site near the Bandra East railway station, where a massive anti-encroachment drive has been undertaken.
The anti-encroachment drive has entered its sixth day.
Speaking after the inspecting demolition site, the BJP leader said, "Railway officials and the municipal police cleared the first section of the railway lines. In the current section, the railway terminal site has been cleared. Two crore people travel to and from this terminal. Now, with the project being cleared, the political future of some people is also becoming clear. In six months, the entire face of the place will be changed. The land required for the infrastructure project will be given to eligible," Somaiya said.
"Action will be taken against the Bangladeshi people and the land mafias," he added.
The demolition drive was launched by Western Railway on May 19 to clear unauthorised structures from railway land as part of infrastructure expansion and redevelopment projects. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) had recently auctioned nearby land to private developers for modernisation work.
Earlier, Mumbai Police arrested 16 people and detained two others in connection with a stone-pelting incident reported from Garib Nagar in the Bandra area of Mumbai, police said.
"Regarding the incident of stone-pelting that occurred in Garib Nagar, located in the Bandra area of Mumbai: So far, the police have arrested a total of 16 individuals in connection with this case and have taken two people into custody. Of the two individuals currently in custody, one is the very person who allegedly attacked police personnel by throwing stones at them during the violence. The interrogation process is currently underway, and following the completion of necessary legal formalities, this individual will be formally arrested shortly," Mumbai Police said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said police had gained complete control over the situation.
Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said some "miscreants" attempted to disrupt the demolition operation being carried out by Western Railway authorities.
"Some miscreants pelted stones on the police force while the demolition drive was underway. The police have gained total control over the situation. Police have also arrested those who were responsible for inciting violence," Fadnavis said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Kirit Somaiya is right about one thing: infrastructure projects are long overdue for Mumbai. But targeting Bangladeshis without proper proof is just vote-bank politics. Show evidence first, then take action. 🙄
The stone-pelting incident is disturbing. Police should deal firmly with anyone who attacks law enforcement. But let's also remember these slums existed for decades because of political patronage—both Congress and BJP are guilty there. Sad reality in Mumbai.
Bandra desperately needs this redevelopment! The station area is a mess with illegal shops and encroachments. But the "land mafia" reference is a convenient bogeyman for all demolitions. And please stop the anti-Bangladeshi rhetoric unless there's concrete proof. India already has enough communal tension.
If this finally relieves the pressure on Bandra station, I'm all for it. But I've seen so many "development" projects in Mumbai that never see the light of day. And what about alternative housing for those displaced? Upar se terrorism and illegal immigration are real issues, but this is just political mileage.
Honestly tired of politicians using anti-encroachment drives as photo ops. Somaiya should focus on how RLDA is selling public land to private builders—where's the transparency? And if Bangladeshis are indeed there illegally, how come they survived all these years under both UPA and NDA governments?
J We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.