New Delhi: As the protests over felling of trees in Mumbai’s Aarey colony continue, a group of environmental activists have decided to approach Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to intervene.
According to News18, a delegation of students will visit CJI Gogoi’s residence in Delhi on Sunday and request him to exercise “special jurisdiction” to “go out of the conventional way to put a stay on the felling of trees in Aarey by Mumbai Authorities”.
After the Bombay high court refused on Friday to hear petitions challenging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to chop more than 2,600 trees in the Aarey colony to make way for a metro shed, felling of trees began.
As The Wire reported, more than 1,000 trees were estimated to have been felled on Saturday despite protests from activists, politicians – including by the Shiv Sena, which administers the BMC, citizens and celebrities. Police took at least 29 persons into custody on Saturday. Another 55 people were taken into preventive detention.
On Sunday, the student delegation told the media that they have decided to approach the CJI because “there is no time left for filing an appeal petition and going through legal technicalities as by then Aarey will be cleared off by the Mumbai Authorities”. Prohibitory orders continued to be in force in the colony and surrounding areas on Sunday.
The police on Saturday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Aarey, restricting movements and gathering of groups, and cordoned off the area.
Activists tried to get relief from the Bombay high court, by approaching the court again on Saturday and seeking a stay to tree cutting, so that they could approach the Supreme Court. The court refused to admit the plea.
More leaders detained on Sunday
Prakash Ambedkar was among politicians who were taken into preventive detention on Sunday. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) leader tried to enter the Aarey Colony in support of activists who are opposing the cutting of trees in the area to make way for a Metro car shed.
He said the Maharashtra government was using “muscle power” to silence those raising voice against tree felling.
When the VBA chief reached the Aarey area located in suburban Goregaon on Sunday, he was detained by police for a brief period. Later, after being released, he told reporters, “The green cover at Aarey Colony helps in the purification of air, the same way as fresh breeze coming from the Arabian Sea helps in keeping Mumbai air clean.”
“We were told that some 700 trees have been axed. We will continue to oppose the tree felling in all forms, even if we fail to come to power in the state after the upcoming assembly elections,” he said.
Members of a tribal community who reside in the forest area have also opposed the tree cutting, as they are largely dependent on the forest for their livelihood.
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has defended tree felling, saying it is restricted only to a small area in the Aarey Colony and is necessary to ensure a modern transport system. The proposed car shed for the Metro-3 line (Colaba- Bandra-Seepz) will occupy 33 hectares.
Heavy security deployed
Heavy security was deployed at Aarey Colony’s five entry points, including the key connecting road near the Western Express Highway, to prevent people from going towards the area. Most shops, restaurants and roadside stalls remained closed in the area in view of the imposition of Section 144 since Saturday.
Patrolling was stepped up in the tribal hamlets located in Aarey area and those found assembling there were being taken into custody, but later let off after proper verification, he said.
He said that Section 144 will remain imposed in the area till the 2,600 trees are cut.
(With PTI inputs)