Residents resist demolition drive

Residents resist demolition drive

The Hindu

Many women and children squat on the road; A mini-lorry damaged


BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) could not go ahead with its demolition drive in Koramangala on Wednesday as tension prevailed in the area following a protest by the residents for the second day.

Windscreens of a mini-lorry were damaged when miscreants threw stones during the protests.

As the BMP staff arrived at 5th Block, Koramangala, to continue the demolition of buildings built in violation of zoning regulations and building bylaws, angry residents tried to stop them from carrying out their work.

Protesters, including women and children, squatted on the road and dared the BMP to run the earthmovers over them before demolishing the buildings. Even as those leading the protest were "requesting" the residents to stay calm, three youths threw stones at the lorry.

Arrested

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Alok Kumar said the police arrested one of the youths and he is a native of Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

Those who indulged in stone throwing were no way connected with the protest, he said.

A huge posse of policemen was posted in the area and no untoward incident was reported, Mr. Kumar said.

Kanakapura MP Tejaswini Sriramesh and Uttarahalli MLA R. Ashok came there and heard the grievance of protesters.

They assured them that they would take up the matter with the Government.

The BMP is likely to continue the demolition on Thursday.

The BMP started the demolition drive on Saturday, following a direction from the Karnataka High Court to survey, identify and bring down the buildings built in violation of the norms.

According to BMP sources, preliminary notices were issued to owners of 87 buildings and confirmatory orders to 61 of them last week. So far four buildings have been demolished. The BMP is in the process of identifying 100 other buildings, which may have to be totally or partially demolished, the sources said.