Land Grab : The most senseless argument

Mumbai has been experiencing a very severe "land grab" problem. It would seem to be a very organised scheme. People (who probably do not have houses in Mumbai) start occupying public or government property and then start extending "their land". Quite suddenly, there is a huge colony and a housing society set up and no one can do anything about it.

One hears a very common argument from the slum dwellers side: that they have been staying at the location since X years. This, according to me, is the most senseless argument.

I give a counter example. A thief keeps stealing without getting caught for say 15 years. He gets caught one day. Would it be correct if he says that since he been stealing for the past 15 years, it is his "right" to continue doing so?

Think about it.

Now, now...I am not against "free housing" or some "low-cost housing scheme" for the economically backward. But, these schemes must be planned and people can't be housed wherever they wish (on the middle of the roads, sleeping on pavements, near the tracks, etc.). So do not get me wrong.