Members of the Hassan Nagara Hale Tarakari Marukatte Varthakara Kshemabhyudaya Sangha staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Monday demanding an alternative site to continue their businesses.
At least 150 shops, built on encroached land in Devikere, were demolished on Saturday and Sunday by the district administration. — The members, in their representation to the Deputy Commissioner, stated that there had been selling fruits, flowers, coconuts, vegetables and other puja items for several years.
The administration's move to demolish shops without giving a notice had practically thrown them to the streets, they said.
President of the association Sannaswamy led the dharna.