CM's 'simple' okay cost trees their life

CM's 'simple' okay cost trees their life

Vaishalli Chandra. Bangalore

Sitting on the edge of the footpath with her head in her hand, a protestor sobbed. That was all she could do as she and fellow protestors weren't allowed to step inside the Metro site on Lalbagh West.
The trees were cut under police protection, the same police who offered protection to the trees. "We never promised anybody anything," said ACP Ramesh Chandra, Jayanagar. When DNA contacted DCP Krishna Bhat, he said, "We go by the government order." When asked if Metro had sought protection, he only gave a simple "yes."
So, where does that leave the complaint that was lodged by protestors? To this he said, "If a case is registered, it will be investigated."
Roshini, a volunteer, tried calling out to people and informing them of the situation, but the police presence kept many at bay.
"The police was in full force, people were scared to join the protest because of their presence," said Dharma, another volunteer. Three vans and two jeeps with the ACP stationed at the sight was "uncalled for". "It wasn't like there was communal violence. All through we have had non-violent protests," he said.
He adds that the land is "public land and they will fight to keep it so. With the momentum building, volunteers are looking at ways to raise awareness levels among the public.