Mumbai Police serve externment notice on Save Aarey activist

MUMBAI: 'Save Aarey Forest' campaigner and activist Tabrez Ali Sayed (29) has received an externment notice from the city police based on two cases against him from the Powai police jurisdiction and three others related to his involvement in the Aarey protests.
Tabrez has to respond to the notice by November 11, following which further steps will be taken by the concerned police department.
Deputy commissioner of police (Zone 10) Dr Maheshwar Reddy, who has signed the notice, said, "At present we are only seeking a reply from Tabrez Sayed through this notice. It has been served to him based on certain police cases against him in Powai, which comes under my jurisdiction, and are not related to the Aarey issue. While Aarey cases have also been mentioned, this area (Aarey) does not fall in my jurisdiction."
Talking to TOI, the activist said, "The police notice seeking my reply on the externment issue has been served under Section 56(1)(A) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, in order to remove me from the areas of Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, Palghar and Thane districts. I have not committed any serious crimes and have basically demonstrated against the Metro car shed inside Aarey. The other two cases related to Powai police were filed earlier when I had tried to stop a demolition and there were cross-complaints against me and a political party over assault charges." Tabrez further said, "I will reply to this notice and will also legally fight against it in court in case I am actually externed."
Environmentalist and director of Vanashakti NGO, D Stalin, said, "Tabrez is not a dangerous criminal, even though there may be a few FIRs lodged against him in Mumbai. So, it is unfair to try and evict him out of city limits. Also, 'Save Aarey' is a people's movement of those who care for trees and forests. The government must appreciate this fact." Amrita Bhattacharjee of Aarey Conservation Group said, "We are studying the police notice to Tabrez and will legally help him out."