India, Nov. 22 -- In a move that could turn hugely controversial, the Mira-Bhayandar civic administration has urged the state forest department to drop the protected forest status of around 14 hectares of encroached mangrove land - to build public amenities for slum-dwellers who live on this land.

The request comes only a couple of months before crucial elections to the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and other municipal bodies in the state.

The mangrove land in question is scattered across various places under the MBMC's jurisdiction, and is occupied by around 50,000 slum residents. The Shiv Sena and BJP are both vying for control of MBMC, and every vote counts - even if it means resorting to extreme measures.

The encroach...