Encroachments: BMP's drive triggers tension in Malleswaram

Encroachments: BMP's drive triggers tension in Malleswaram

The Hindu

Traffic affected on Sampige Road



FIERY PROTEST: Signboards that were pulled down in the BMP drive being set on fire by irate public on Sampige Road in Malleswaram in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Angry public and shopkeepers hurled stones at an earthmover and damaged it when the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) employees were clearing encroachments on Sampige Road in Malleswaram on Saturday.

The police said that around 11 a.m. the BMP staff were demolishing buildings that were allegedly constructed on the pavements and were pulling down hoardings and signboards that were protruding onto the road on 8th Cross, Sampige Road, Malleswaram.

Some residents and shopkeepers took objection to the drive, pointing out that they were not given prior notice by the BMP.

They hurled stones at an earthmover of the civic body, damaging its windscreens and wheels.

They also blocked traffic on the Sampige Road for some time and attempted to set fire to the hoardings and signboards that were brought down by the BMP staff, the police said.

As tension mounted, the police rushed there and brought the situation under control.

The Malleswaram MLA, M.R. Seetharam, and the local corporator went there and assured the public that they would look into their complaints.

Following the protest, the BMP suspended the drive, the police said.