The drive to catch stray pigs was interrupted after some claimed that they were the owners of those pigs leading to ruckus here on Sunday.
The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) embarked on a two-week-long drive to catch stray pigs on October 3.
As usual a team of pig catchers started their work and caught nearly 50 pigs at Yalakki Shettar Colony, a prime residential area here. However, suddenly, a group of people claiming to be the owners of those pigs raised objections. Not only that they prevented the workers from catching pigs but also alleged that they were not the authorised pig catchers but were indulging in stealing pigs.
Following a compliant, the police intervened and the pig catchers were taken to the Vidyagiri police station. However, HDMC health officer Prabhu Biradar arrived at the police station and clarified that they were pig catchers authorised by the HDMC to catch stray pigs. However, the pig owners said that they have submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner S.B. Bommanahalli seeking six months time to take away their pigs.
They said that the HDMC should halt the drive till the Deputy Commissioner decides on their plea. They were joined by more people forcing the HDMC officials to abruptly halt the drive.
The former Mayor Shivu Hiremath said that during the drive the pig catchers had not been provided proper security and even the HDMC officials were not present when they started their work on Sunday morning.
The drive needs to be streamlined properly and HDMC officials should be asked to be present on such occasions to avoid unpleasant incidents, Mr. Hiremath said.
