Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The municipal corporation administration on Wednesday morning demolished three major properties belonging to AIMIM corporator Matin Patel within just two-and-a-half hours after allegations surfaced that he had provided shelter at one of his houses in Naregaon to accused woman Nida Khan from Nashik.
Following the incident, citizens felt that ‘bulldozer culture’ had arrived in the city for the first time. Before the demolition of Matin’s 2,400 sq ft residence began, his family members welcomed municipal officials and police personnel with garlands, showered flowers on them, and presented them with copies of the Constitution as an act of Gandhigiri.
Earlier, the municipal corporation had issued three-day notices for all three of Matin’s properties. On Tuesday morning, a final 24-hour notice was pasted on the premises. The High Court bench also refused to grant Matin any relief. Thereafter, the municipal administration and police began overnight preparations for joint action.
As soon as news of the impending demolition spread, AIMIM state president Imtiaz Jaleel reached Naregaon at midnight along with 34 corporators and party workers. Jaleel adopted a conciliatory approach and appealed to supporters to remain calm. He advised them to welcome municipal officials peacefully in the morning through Gandhigiri. Following this, the tense atmosphere in Naregaon eased.
Teams gathered at Garware Sports Complex at 5 am
The municipal corporation and police teams assembled at the Garware Sports Complex at 5 am. By 5.30 am, a convoy comprising seven JCB machines, one poclain excavator, nine tipper trucks, two fire brigade vehicles, two ambulances, and two ladder vehicles for disconnecting electricity proceeded in a line towards Naregaon.
Two assistant commissioners of police, five police inspectors, 250 police personnel, all ten municipal zone officers, more than 50 civic staff members, and 80 ex-servicemen from Nagarik Mitra Pathak reached Matin’s residence in Naregaon by 6 am.
Municipal officials welcomed by family members
Matin’s wife and family members had already made arrangements to welcome the civic officials. They garlanded Santosh Wahule, coordinating officer of the anti-encroachment section, and showered flowers upon the officials.
Thereafter, Matin’s six-year-old daughter presented a copy of the Constitution and expressed hope that similar action would be taken elsewhere in the city as well. Family members became emotional and tearful during the proceedings. With heavy hearts, they eventually moved away from the house.
Six shops and residential house demolished
Matin’s 2,400 sq ft residence stood along the main road in Naregaon. The front portion contained six shops, while the residential section was situated at the rear. Demolition began simultaneously with four JCB machines.
Despite the early hour, a huge crowd of onlookers had gathered in the Naregaon area. As the structure was taking time to bring down completely, officials sought the assistance of a poclain excavator. After nearly two hours of continuous effort, the building was razed to the ground.
Action taken despite claim of regularisation
Adjacent to Matin’s property was a shed belonging to Amjad Khan, used for selling iron rods and related materials. The anti-encroachment section demolished this shed as well within a short time.
Notably, goods worth lakhs of rupees were still lying inside the shed. Khan, who is the brother of former corporator Nisar Khan, repeatedly claimed that he possessed a regularisation certificate under the Gunthewari Act, but no one paid heed to his pleas.
Office beside drain also demolished
Matin had also constructed an office in a tin shed adjacent to a drain near his house. A single JCB demolished the office within five to seven minutes. The family had already removed the office belongings in advance. By 8 am, the operation at the site had been completed.
Convoy proceeded to Kausar Park
The municipal and police convoy then moved to the nearby Kausar Park area. The house where Nida Khan had allegedly been sheltered had already been cordoned off by the police.
At 8.06 am, demolition of the structure began using two JCB machines. The construction quality of the building was reportedly so poor that officials remarked it might have collapsed within two to three years even without demolition. The basement reportedly contained only black soil, and the walls began crumbling as soon as the JCBs struck them.
The central column of the building collapsed after just two impacts, causing the entire structure to shake. The building was completely demolished within 18 to 20 minutes.