Encroachment is a part of our day to day life. With the civic bodies trying to get rid of it, they somehow show up the very next day of the anti encroachment drive and even when their stalls have been seized. Even if it blocks few routes or pavements, footpaths or even parking area made available for the citizens, these same citizens are the ones who have been supporting and encouraging the same.
What would just a few encroachments do? How bad can the situation go? All these questions were answered when the girls of Tata Parsi School had to come out to the street on Saturday with placards and posters, leaving their classes and demanding safety.
In a recent incident, the student of Tata Parsi Girls School were physically assaulted, abused and harassed by several encroachers who even threatened to kidnap the girls from the school and even their houses.
It was noted that, the authorities of the school tried to get rid of the encroachments which are camped right outside the gate of Tata Parsi institution. According to civic norms there should be no shops within the 100 meters of the school premises, which is totally being overruled by the pan shop owners having their kiosks camped in the vicinity of the school.
“Selling of tobacco outside school is not only unethical but having shop right in front of the gate is itself a crime”, said Reuben Ray, General Secretary of CHEHRA foundation.
Chehra foundation is an NGO who along with, Urja NGO stood tall and participated in the agitation held by the students and teachers of Tata Parsi School.
After Thrity Patel, Managing Trustee of Tata Parsi School had wrote a letter to the former mayor Nanda Jichkar complaining about the encroachments and the situation around the school, on the mid day of 21 May, 2019 an anonymous letter was received by Patel. The letter had a strong language with a threat to take back the case against encroachments.
Principal of Tata Parsi School, Shanoor Mirza along with other staff have also been threatened by the hawkers. A complaint has been lodged in the Kotwali police station and further actions are being taken.
Shivram Kumbre, PI of Kotwali police station was also present during the agitation and has given his word to protect the girls and have an eye specifically in this area. He also shared police helpline number of BHAROSA cell with the students and teachers present.
