Karnataka   

Inquiry sought into demolition of houses

Taking stock: KPCC president R.V. Deshpande, along with M.P. Prakash, taking a look at a demolished building at Kottur on Friday.

KOTTUR (BELLARY DISTRICT): R.V. Deshpande, president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), while strongly condemning the manner in which several houses were demolished by the authorities for road widening in Kudligi and Kottur towns in Bellary district, has demanded that the Government constitute a House committee to inquire into the matter.

Mr. Deshpande, accompanied by Congress leaders M. Mallikarjun Kharge, V.S. Ugrappa and M.P. Prakash, went around both the towns and listened to the problems of the people there. They told presspersons that the authorities had thrown all norms to the wind before starting the demolition process.

Making it clear that the Congress was not opposed to the widening of roads, they said, however, that they were against violation of the law. Mr. Deshpande said no notices were served on those who had constructed houses on their own land, while the process of demolition was undertaken in the early hours of the day. He described the act as “most inhumane.”

“This is not a State Highway or a National Highway, which needs to be broadened. We agree that the roads need to be widened as the city continues to grow. But there is a process that needs to be followed and proper planning has to be done. Compensation should be given and the people rehabilitated beforehand,” he said. What was more objectionable was that some houses belonging to BJP leaders remained untouched while others were demolished.

This only indicated that the BJP Government was acting according to whims and fancies. We strongly condemn such behaviour, he said. Mr. Deshpande also accused BJP leaders in the district of misusing power and creating a “fear psychosis” among the people. Mr. Deshpande cautioned officials of the Revenue and Police departments to act according to the rule of law.

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