AAP Holds ‘Tree Funeral’ Protest Over Alleged Illegal Felling
Youth Wing Demands Criminal Cases Against Builder, Officials; Warns of Intensified Agitation
Pimpri Chinchwad : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Pimpri-Chinchwad unit and its Maharashtra State Youth Wing staged a ‘Tree Funeral’ protest on Thursday against the alleged illegal felling of more than 52 old trees near the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) headquarters. The protesters demanded an impartial inquiry and criminal action against the builder and civic officials found responsible.
AAP alleged that the number and age of old trees were understated in official documents to facilitate illegal tree felling for a construction project. The party also alleged that the original report of the Tree Authority was altered to benefit the developer. It demanded an inquiry into the roles of Garden Superintendents Mahesh Gargote and Rajesh Vasave and strict action if they are found guilty.
The protesters demanded criminal cases against Sukhwani Associates and the officials concerned if their involvement is established, cancellation of the construction permission allegedly obtained through misleading information, and recovery of approximately ₹1.52 crore towards the plantation of 1,018 trees at ₹15,000 per tree.
‘No One Is Above the Law’: RaviRaj Kale
AAP Youth Wing state president RaviRaj Kale criticised the civic administration for allegedly failing to take decisive action despite the seriousness of the allegations.
“The environmental damage caused by the felling of old trees cannot be ignored. An impartial inquiry must establish the facts and fix accountability. No builder, however influential, is above the law. Those responsible must not be protected,” Kale said.
AAP Youth Wing leaders alleged that the administration had failed to take adequate action despite the issue being brought to the attention of senior officials. They warned that the agitation would be intensified if the allegations were not investigated impartially and action was not taken in accordance with the law.
Several AAP office-bearers and youth wing members participated in the protest.
