5 New Mohalla Committees

After receiving a pat on the back for doing good effective work during the past two months in maintaining communal peace in the city of Mumbai,MCMT (Mohalla Committee Movement Trust) is all set to spread its wings.As a part of expansion program,MCMT is planning to develop 5 new mohalla committees in the areas of Juhu,Dadar,Kurla,Antop Hill & Goregaon.

The ongoing Gujarat riots post Godhra massacre evoked many social organisations to avoid communal disturbances in the city.But MCMT took all the applause maintaining peace and harmony in Mumbai while Gujarat was burning.This was due to the constant efforts of the organisations’ members, facilitators taking regular peace meetings,area meetings with people of different areas.Also when the March 15 Ayodhya deadline was hanging on minds of Munmbaites,the members made it sure to ensure peace by talking to people of all communities thereby defusing rumours.

After the communal disturbances which shook Mumbai in 1992-93 ,the first requisite of MCMT was to restore confidence of people and restore peace amongst people and to open up channels of communication between police and public.

Maria Ishwaran,facilitator,MCMT said, “The former Police Commissioners Julio Rebeiro & Satish Sahney were instrumental in forming the committees. Today almost police station have a mohalla committee. But MCMT has its own representation in 25 police stations and hence the need for expansion.Especially since interacting with people on consistent basis in different parts of the city helps to narrow down the differences between them.The plan to form 5 new mohalla committees has met with positive response from people of those areas.As more and more people want to associate themselves with us as they believe in the MCMT concept.”

Speaking on recently appointed Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order),Javed Ahmed’s idea of new committees,Ishwaran added,”Ever since Javed Ahmed had been Additional Commissioner of Police he has been closely associated with MCMT .And now after he has become Joint Commissioner, he still extends all the support and help to our committee”

Javed Ahmed , Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) told Mumbai Age, “ MCMT is doing a positive and wonderful job in reaching out to more and more people to ensure communal peace ,especially in sensitive areas of Mumbai..But there is still much more scope in other areas.They need to remain in touch with the public to restore peace and confidence of public ,as they have continuously have done over the years with the help of police and public.They are definitely doing a very good job.”

Dr.Aarif Ali Syed,Facilitator of Kurla & Sakinaka ,MCMT commented, “Kurla is a very communally senstitive area.We definitely need a mohalla committee in this area.There was a mohalla committee before but due to some reasons it could not take proper shape.Nobody can forget the Gaffur Khan Estate episode which took place in 92-93 riots.It will take time to form the committee ,as we want to choose and induct right people with neutral mindsets who will be present at right time.We will hopefully make it soon.”

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