Will Open our Gates for Officials to Execute their Duties: Mumbai's Campa Cola Residents

Mumbai: Bringing an end to a three day stand-off, the residents of Mumbai's Campa Cola housing society today finally gave in to the Supreme Court's orders and allowed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials to enter the premises and disconnect electricity, water and gas pipeline connections tomorrow.

"We apologise to the BMC for the inconvenience caused. Our excuse was that we were trying to save our homes," said Ashish Jalan, a resident of the complex.

The breakthrough came after an hour-long meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. The residents claim that Mr Chavan has assured them that their interests would be protected within the framework of the law. They were also given the assurance that there would be no demolition during the monsoon season.

"In this 18 month struggle we have realized that if we keep fighting, we are going to get nowhere. We are tired. In the past five months, we have lost four members and two fainted today. Children are going hysterical, people are crying, hiding from the cameras. We can no longer see these tears," said Mr Jalan.

Over the last three days, drama has ensued with residents forming a human barricade to stop officials from entering and making the officials wait outside the gates. On Saturday, BMC officials issued a stern warning to allow them to do their job or face legal action.

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Seven high-rises were constructed at what came to be called the Campa Cola Compound, between 1981 and 1989. The builders had permission for only five floors, but constructed several more. The residents have been fighting a legal battle since 2000, when they first went to the Bombay High Court to legalise their water and power supply.

The residents moved the Supreme Court to buy more time to help legalise their home of three decades. But the court on June 3 rejected their plea and ordered them to vacate their flats.

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Though the stand-off has finally ended, residents say the legal battle over land rights will still continue in court and that they will not give up their rights over re-development of the land.