MUMBAI, May 16: The idea of agitationists taking to streets may seem attractive to rabble-rousers for sundry causes. But ask residents around Hotel Samrat and Kala Ghoda who are frequently greeted everyday they step out by footloose crowds firing their collective voice at the seat of power in nearby Sachivalaya.

Witness to this scene for over 12 years, harassed citizens in the neighbourhood decided to take their plea to the courts since the state authorities seem to have grown deaf ears.

Peace is elusive as the two spots have become virtual police camps where rallyists and demonstrations from all over the city and state culminate. Residents and office-goers have to wade through the morchas or climb over compounds of nearby buildings to reach Churchgate and beyond. The situation is worsened by encroaching hawkers.

Swaran Kohli, president, Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens Association (NPCCA), says, ``Life is hell for the residents here. We do not oppose the agitators' democratic right to protest but the nuisance is intolerable.''

``The resulting commotion has added to the noise pollution in the area. Students cannot focus on their studies even after dusk. Besides, there's the excessive collection of filth,'' she added.

The situation at Kala Ghoda is equally worse. Employees of Mumbai University complain that the noise hampers their routine. Businessmen and shopowners had urged the police to shift protest venues to places such as Azad Maidan and Oval Maidan.

The residents are specially annoyed by the wastage of open space in the two nearby open grounds which, they allege, ``have become virtual properties of big industrial houses to indulge in sports activities, mainly cricket.''

The police, however, have a different story. Expressing helplessness, a senior official of Zone I said the department can only maintain law and order around Churchgate and Kala Ghoda. ``The state government alone can find a way through,'' he added.

He revealed that on an average seven to 10 large morchas (3,000 persons), 30 to 35 small morchas, 20 to 25 agitations, and sundry dharnas are held every month at these spots. Many of them originate at Azad Maidan. However, along the route, they play havoc with road traffic and normal life.

Several requests to the Home Department to get the morcha sites shifted in the interest of the public were ignored. The department officials dismissed the issue as a ``civic'' problem, and the ``headache'' is best handled by the BMC and the police.

Meanwhile, the disturbed residents have pinned their hopes on the courts even as they continue to suffer the ever-growing nuisance.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.