Negotiations between protesters and the Clifton Board Cantonment (CBC) failed, a representative of the residents’ committee said late Monday, after demonstrators gathered outside the board’s office to voice their anger over the non-provision of basic amenities following the torrential August rains. Speaking to the crowd gathered outside the CBC office, the woman representing the protesters told them the officials had not agreed to signing the demands on the board’s letterhead. Demonstrators consequently started dispersing from the site, vowing to return and protest outside the Defence Housing Authority’s (DHA) office on Thursday. The CBC office-bearers were said to be meeting at their office after the crowd of protesters — comprising residents of the upscale DHA and Clifton — voiced their anger over the non-provision of necessities despite almost a week after the rains had subsided. Early Monday evening, the woman representing the protest committee had announced that their demands had been presented to the CBC. She added, however, that the demonstrators and the civilians had not been invited to join. “We have demanded emergency be declared in the DHA and the CBC and that we will not pay taxes for five years,” she had said. A large contingent of security officers, including police, were present on the site in order to prevent any untoward event. The CBC had sealed the gates of its office ahead of the protest scheduled by residents of the area. However, demonstrators breached the premises and tried to enter the office but were stopped by police. Angry protesters held up placards and shouted slogans of “Go CBC Go!” and “Ghundagardinahichalegi [Thuggery won’t be tolerated]”against the board. The protesters demanded that the chief executive officer of the CBC should address them and listen to their grievances. Calling for an improvement in the sewerage system, the protestors also wamted that an audit of the flood relief tax collected by the CBC be shared with them and called on the board’s members to be held accountable for the lack of amenities provided to them over the years. They have also asked the CBC to improve garbage collection in the area. The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee’s (CPLC) former chief, Sharfuddin Memon, told media that the CBC’s performance “is zero” and that “the institution must be fixed”. Last Sunday night, a group formed on Facebook under the name of “Petition against DHA & CBC” had announced they would protest against the authorities of DHA and Clifton outside the CBC office for the” incompetence of DHA & CBC in providing basic living conditions”. The organisers had requested everyone to “remain peaceful at all times, not harm or hurt anyone, not damage any property and do not harm any plants or animals”. The organisers had also clarified that the group was not affiliated with any political party.
