52 houses razed in Bengeri

Hubballi: As many as 52 houses in Bengeri were demolished in the presence of tight police security here on Monday. Union minister Pralhad Joshi’s plea to not conduct the demolition for two days did not yield any result.
The demolition drive was taken up by the land owner as per a high court order. When earthmovers arrived in the area, residents opposed the demolition claiming that they had possession letters for the land. They went to Joshi’s residence to seek help. Responding to their appeal, Joshi called the police commissioner over phone and suggested that the demolition be deferred for two days so that residents could vacate the houses voluntarily.
However, Keshwapur police inspector U H Satenahalli said the demolition was completed as per a court order. It should be noted that the land owner had approached the court complaining that police had not completed the demolition as per a previous order.
Joshi told TOI that residents had approached him some four-five years ago seeking help. “It is said that some middlemen had misguided and cheated the residents even though the original land owner was different. As the land was not notified as non-agriculture, the residents have suffered a loss. The deputy commissioner should take serious action against such middlemen to rescue common people,” he added.
Residents said they had purchased the land from middlemen and later the original land owner claimed his right to the same land.