Bidar Urban Development Authority demolished seven houses, that they said were built illegally in land set aside for parks in Valley View Colony off Bhalki road on Thursday.
Earth movers of the BUDA and city municipal council tore down the houses and cleared the debris in a matter of hours.
The residents of these houses, some of whom were moved to tears, said they had letters authorising the allotment of houses to them. They also said they had been paying taxes for five years for the houses built on 100 square feet each. BUDA officials, however, said the land was illegal and the BUDA Act empowered them to demolish illegal structures.