By M Hallare, Team Mangalorean
Bhatkal: A demolition drive was carried out on survey numbers 107 and 108 of government (Haadi) land in Venkatapur Gram Panchayat limits in Bhatkal taluk here, on April 10.
The Assistant Commissioner and the Tahsildar, with the support of the police, demolished houses constructed illegally on government land. While four houses were demolished completely, the front portion of one house and compound walls of a few houses were razed in the drive. Two earth movers carried out the demolition.
Meanwhile, the residents alleged that the officials conducted the demolition drive now, though the houses were built about 5-10 years ago. “What were the officials doing all these days?” they asked. They also alleged that the houses of only a particular community were targeted, though there were illegal constructions also in survey numbers 101 to 110. The officials only demolished houses on survey numbers 107 and 108, they said.
Assistant Commissioner Chidanand Watarey denied the allegations that houses belonging to a particular community were targeted. He said that he had visited the locality about a month ago and warned those constructing new houses to not do so as the land belongs to the government. Besides, public notices were also issued in newspapers.
“The houses and compound walls that were demolished were under construction. Those who have already settled in the houses constructed on the government land were not touched as the government has to take a call on the matter. The new houses were demolished as the owners did not heed to the warning of the authorities. The drive was carried out to send a strong message to those who encroached government land,” the Assistant Commissioner said.
Tahshildar VN Badkar, TMC chief officer Mohammed Rafique, Bhatkal DySP Aiyappa, CPI Prashant Nayak, CPI Manjunath Gowda JD(S) leader Inayatullah Shabandri, Jali Panchayat President Nilwar Ansari, Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation Secretary Moulavai Azizur Rahman Nadvi, Block Congress President Vittal Naik and many others were present.
Just wondering if the local authorities had given them the license to build the houses. If yes, then the AC should first target the authority who gave them the permit to build the houses. No matter which caste or religion the people are from. For a human owning a house is also a dream and its not easy to make this dream come true. One works hard all his life and by a small saving over the period he/she has done, they tend to move and build a house which they call “heaven”. Its a pity to see that houses… Read more »
Dear readers, By looking at the pictures it was systematically targeted at one community to make them economically viable.If the construction was illegal without any proper documentation, why the authorities not served a “Stay order”? How does gram panchayat not aware of the so called illegal construction which they waited once it is fully completed? It seems Israeli colonisation is evident in terms of India’s own version under BJP central rule is started specifically targeting minority dominated area. Another reality from the ‘Gujarat Model’; Ahmedabad : Why Muslim areas on the target in demolition drive? http://muslimmirror.com/eng/ahmedabad-why-muslim-areas-on-the-target-in-demolition-drive/ As an example for… Read more »
As usual, one specific community, notoriously known for playing victim, is trying to blame govt for doing their job!! I remember a similar case a year ago where Govt land was systematically encroached and illegal houses were built by a specific community. Why do they always demand special treatment from Europe to Bhatkala ? Also, this report should help joker Praveena Pinto. See how they demolished illegal structures in a very open, transparent fashion in the presence of public, police and media. This is how people behave when they have nothing to hide. This is very different from our ‘social… Read more »
Original R.Pai says:
April 13, 2015 at 7:40 am
As usual, one specific community, notoriously known for playing victim, is trying to blame govt for doing their job!!
SIR, WHY DON’T YOU NAME THAT COMMUNITY. YOUR PRETENTIONS ARE LIKE THAT OF WHORE PRETENDING CHASTITY!
STOP YOUR RSS THRILL OF MAKING VEILED ALLEGATIONS TO OVER DRAMATIZE WILD ALLEGATIONS.