Aarey Protests Live Updates: Sec 144 imposed, 29 including former Mayor arrested

Agitation continues as authorities cut down trees

As authorities cut down trees at Aarey for upcoming metro shed, many thronged outside in Aarey colony to save the trees.

'Mumbai Metro 3 senselessly destroys the Aarey vicinity' tweets Aditya Thackeray

Aaditya Thackera tweets: There’s no point for the Central government ministry of climate change to exist, or to speak about plastic pollution when the MumbaiMetro3 senselessly destroys the Aarey vicinity. This ego battle taken up by Metro 3 is destroying the purpose of making it.

20 arrested, section 144 imposed in Aarey area

Section 144 imposed in and around the Aarey area in Goregaon East in Mumbai to prevent protesters from entering the Metro car shed site, Mumbai Police spokesperson Pranay Ashok, announces.

Sena leaders arrested

Among those arrested were four Sena leaders including Sena corporator Sheetal Mhatre and former Mayor Shubha Raul have also been detained.

Police have booked 38 protesters under various sections of the IPC since late Friday night, the official said. Another official said over 60 people protesting against the felling of trees have been detained. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) started hacking trees late Friday night to make way for the car shed, hours after the Bombay High Court dismissed four pleas filed by NGOs and activists challenging the decision to allow felling of trees in the prime green lung of the city. As the MMRCL started cutting trees, hundreds of green activists held protests and tried to stop the action. "We have imposed section 144 of the CrPC in Aarey Colony, Goregaon check post and surrounding areas," the Mumbai police spokesperson said. As of now, at least 38 protesters have been booked under section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 143 (unlawful assembly) and 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), he said.

Hundreds of people gathered at the site of the proposed car shed after they were informed that trees were being axed by authorities late Friday night. However, police started dispersing the crowd and had to forcibly remove the protesters, the official said. When the situation worsened, police started taking protesters into custody. Around 60 protesters were detained by Aarey police, he added. Police have cordoned off the area and people are not allowed to enter the locality. Additional police personnel were called in to prevent untoward incidents, the official said.

Police imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Aarey Colony and surrounding areas on Saturday, banning unlawful assembly, following strong protests by activists against the felling of trees in the green zone for a Metro car shed, an official said.

1). Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi was also detained following mass protests in #AareyColony. -Sena leaders arrested

Among those arrested were four Sena leaders including Sena corporator Sheetal Mhatre and former Mayor Shubha Raul have also been detained. 2). Mumbai Police barricaded all three entrances to Aarey Colony on Saturday -Activists claimed the felling of trees in not supposed to begin for 15 days after the authorities have the required permission -Bombay High Court dismissed all petitions against felling of over 2,600 trees in Aarey on Friday 3). 29 People Arrested Who Were Protesting Against Cutting of Trees: Police 29 people have been arrested in connection with protest against cutting of trees in Mumbai's Aarey Colony according to police officials, reported news agency PTI. 4). Police Restrict Entry of Activists into Aarey Colony Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in Mumbai’s Aarey colony on Saturday, 5 October, after activists protested the cutting of trees late Friday night. “We have imposed section 144 of the CrPC in Aarey Colony, Goregaon check post and surrounding areas," the Mumbai police spokesperson said, reported PTI. The police also cordoned off the area and restricted the entry of people into the green zone. Additional police personnel were called in to prevent untoward incidents, the official said. 5). 'Mumbai Metro 3 senselessly destroys the Aarey vicinity' tweets Aditya Thackeray Aaditya Thackera tweets: There’s no point for the Central government ministry of climate change to exist, or to speak about plastic pollution when the MumbaiMetro3 senselessly destroys the Aarey vicinity. This ego battle taken up by Metro 3 is destroying the purpose of making it.

Union Minister of Environment Prakash Javadekar on #AareyForest:

"Bombay HC has ruled that it's not a forest. When the first Delhi metro station was to be constructed, 20-25 trees were to be cut, people had protested then too, but for each tree cut, five trees were planted."