Mumbai: The flattening of illegal structures in Ulhasnagar
may well be put on hold again. The UMC is faced with the expenses
of positioning about 600 policemen to maintain the law and
order in the town, accumulating with each passing day. Violent
protests had ensued in the town after the Bombay High Court
had directed the demolition of the unauthorized structures.
Civic officials reveal that the UMC has to pay up around Rs
2 to 3 lakhs to the state police on daily basis. The police
say that the UMC already owes more than Rs 25 lakh to the
force. “We are providing the necessary force since it
is an High Court order. How we get the money is an issue we
will deal with later,” says a police officer.
Four battalions of 75 policemen each from the Special Reserve
Police Force (SRPF) have been positioned. Ulhasnagar Municipal
Commissioner (UMC), D S Patil, has not instructed the demolition
squad to swing into the second round of action against the
855 illegal buildings in the suburbs.
The first round of demolitions, almost two weeks ago, was
followed by sporadic incidents of violence. The corporation’s
new commissioner, D.S. Patil, had thus requested additional
police force to check aggression and rioting. Thane Police
Commissioner, D. Sivanandan had endorsed Patil’s demand
for the additional task force to be deployed in the town.
