MUMBAI, January 2: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished a newly-built gate of an industrial unit in Tardeo amid protests by the workers on Friday.Over 100 employees of Collins and Co., manufacturers of the well-known Bentex brand of watch straps, tried to prevent the civic demolition squad from razing the gate. The director, Daniel Shah, stated that the company he had applied for a permission from the BMC last year adding that he had spent over Rs five lakh on the construction.
Another company official alleged that the company is being harassed because he refused to pay bribe to the civic officials. A BMC official from the squad denied that the company had sought permission. ``Once the demolition is complete the company would be asked to seek permission and rebuild it again,'' he further stated.
The situation, threatening to get out of control, was brought under control after the Tardeo police, the local BJP MLA, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Shiv Sena leaders rushed on the spot and
pleaded with the workers to maintain peace.Y
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
