Civic body demolishes '1936' cross

Catholics living in DN Singh lane, Haatibaug, Mazgaon, got a rude shock when the cross, they claim, existed since 1936 was demolished by the BMC. The shock was harsher as they had been reading in the Press of assurances given to the Catholics that the crosses will not be demolished.

The BMC on other hand claimed that the residents did not have proof nor did they get the directive of 15 days or four week extension from the higher ups to hold on to the demolition. "We have been praying here for the past 50 years. The cross was here from the time my in-laws lived and was built in 1936. How can they claim that it was not there?" claimed 67-year-old Eliza Cannados.

"We asked them for two days' time but they did not listen. They had assured us that no action would be taken. There was a plaque that said it was from 1936, which they broke first. What we do not understand is that when the cross was at the dead end, how did it affect anybody?" asked Maria Britto, a resident of the area.

A Waghralkar, assistant commissioner of the area said, "We had communicated with the people and they could not produce any proof. " "What has hurt us is that the municipal commissioner had promised of no action for a week. If they had to give us time, we would have got stay for few days to produce the documents," said Joseph Dias of Catholic Social Forum which is holding a protest at Azad Maidan today.

"Assurances were given by leaders but the community was let down," said Joe Sodder of the Association of Concerned Catholics, who was at the spot. When contacted vice chairman of minorities commission, Abraham Mathai said, "I feel it is unjust because the municipal commissioner had agreed for a week. Even the CM was to formulate a policy on this issue."

Naseem Khan, minorities minister and MLA Baba Siddiqui who led delegations said that the commissioner has issued directives for 15 days' stay. "If the structure is pre-1964, I will protect it," added Siddiqui. Municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar confirmed that 15-day extension was granted to provide documents.

Courtesy: DNA