Residents' United Stand
On a Tuesday morning, the residents of Darukhana, numbering around 400 individuals including women and children, organized a powerful demonstration to
thwart an impending demolition. The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) had issued a seven-day ultimatum to 120 households, comprising two settlements of 98 and 20 homes respectively on New Tank Bunder Road, demanding they vacate the premises. Citing recent court directives, the MbPA declared the homes to be unauthorized encroachments posing a security risk. The notice further stipulated that failure to comply would result in the demolition of the structures, with the costs to be recovered by selling the residents' belongings. However, by noon, the residents' unwavering human wall had forced the MbPA officials and accompanying police to retreat, leaving the fate of their homes temporarily secured.
Eviction Notice Details
The confrontation stemmed from an official notice served on April 17th by the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA). This notice informed approximately 120 households across two settlements that they had just seven days to abandon their residences. The MbPA's rationale, based on recent court pronouncements, categorized the homes as illegal occupations and a significant security concern. The severity of the directive was underscored by a stark warning: non-compliance would lead to the forceful demolition of all structures and the confiscation and sale of personal possessions to offset the expenses incurred by the MbPA. This ultimatum created widespread panic and insecurity among the long-term inhabitants of the area.
Community Activism and Support
Following the initial notice, further escalation occurred on April 22nd when the Sewri police issued a supplementary notice, confirming the scheduled demolition dates for April 28th and 29th. This notice also imposed a prohibitory order, restricting gatherings of five or more people, an attempt to quell any organized resistance. Many of the residents are laborers who have historically settled near the industrial workshops and factories, establishing their lives in Darukhana over many years. Pia, an activist associated with the Jan Haqq Sangharsh Samiti, expressed concern that recent legal interpretations could lead to the displacement of all residents without any provision for rehabilitation. The MbPA's apparent lack of a clear housing policy left residents with no formal channels to seek alternative accommodations, intensifying their struggle for basic shelter and security.
