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Task force demolishes shopping complex amid tight security

Staff Correspondent

A drive to remove illegal structures has been launched in Bijapur

CLEARING ENCROACHMENTS: An illegal structure being demolished on Bukari Masjid Road in Bijapur on Saturday.

BIJAPUR: A drive against encroachments was launched here on Saturday amid tight security and illegal structures on Bukari Masjid Road were demolished notwithstanding opposition from the occupants. A shopping complex built by the Bukari Masjid Governing Committee was partially razed and the task force is scheduled to continue the drive on Sunday.

The drive began two days after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from the city Appasaheb Pattanashetti accused Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin of being "partial" while removing encroachments. The ruling party MLA, who petitioned Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, and Water Resources Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, against Mr. Mohsin, had threatened to launch an agitation.

Initially, the administration wanted to acquire the unauthorised complex on encroached land and give it on lease to the masjid committee as the latter had taken Rs. 20 lakh from the State Wakf Board to construct the structure.

However, the administration had to drop the idea following strong opposition from different quarters, including the MLA. Much to the shock of shopkeepers of the complex, the task force accompanied by heavy police force arrived on the lane and began the operation.

Assistant Commissioner Sadia Sultana, Municipal Commissioner L. Sonne Gowda, and Deputy Superintendent of Police B.T. Chavan, members of the task force, were present.

The shopkeepers complained that they were not aware that the complex was built on encroached land, and the masjid committee misled them. Prakash, a shopkeeper said he opened a stall only last month spending Rs. 4 lakh. He said he had given some "goodwill" money to a committee member to get the stall and asked who would make up his loss.

Deputy Director Land Records Jagdish Rugi, told The Hindu that the drive might continue for two more days. Encroachments on Navabag Road, BLDEA Road, Dawalkot Road and Apsara Road would be razed, he added. Since last year, encroachments on 24 main roads had been removed, he added.

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