VVCMC special demolition squad forced to return empty-handed after mafia blocks illegal unit

VASAI: Last week, the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) special demolition squad had to retreat empty-handed after goons protecting illegal constructions prevented them from demolishing an industrial unit in Nalasopara East.

The demolition team was allegedly humiliated and abused, with the entire incident captured on video that surfaced on Sunday, sparking public outrage.The special squad was formed by VVCMC Commissioner Manojkumar Suryawanshi following a directive from Palghar Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, who had announced a full-scale demolition drive to target ongoing illegal constructions. This strong action plan came in the aftermath of a tragic incident in August, where 17 people were killed and 9 injured when a portion of an illegal building collapsed in Virar.On the day of the incident, a demolition team of about a dozen personnel, including a senior clerk, engineers, and other VVCMC staff, arrived at Wakan Pada in Pelhar, Nalasopara East, equipped with heavy machinery to remove the illegal structure. The target industrial unit, still under construction with visible bamboo supports, was approached by the squad.However, a few goons quickly filled the unit with sacks full of paper scrap and went so far as to place a person inside the unit to block any demolition effort.

“They stopped us from demolishing the structure. We could only remove the shutter and nothing more,” said a VVCMC official present during the operation. He added, “We were without police protection and couldn’t risk escalating the situation, which could have turned worse.”Following the failed operation, the demolition squad submitted a letter to the local police requesting a force to ensure the next attempt is carried out successfully.