Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Tension prevailed in Kogilu village near Yelahanka early Saturday morning after officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), with police protection, demolished more than 300 allegedly illegal houses in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout.
According to GBA officials, the residents had encroached upon land that was allotted to GBA a few years ago, and officials had meetings with the residents to inform them to vacate the area immediately.
The demolition drive, which began around 4.30 am, left over 350 families homeless. Officials deployed four heavy earthmovers to raze the structures after clearing LPG cylinders, stoves, and other flammable materials from the houses. Nearly 150 police personnel, including senior officers, were deployed at the site to prevent any law-and-order issues.
GBA officers said the residents had constructed the houses without any official permission. They claimed most of the occupants had migrated from Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh and belonged to the Durvish community. However, residents disputed the claims, stating that they had been living in the layouts for over 25 years.
A senior police officer said that GBA officials had sought police protection and more than 200 policemen were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents, and the demolition drive may continue for another couple of days.
Speaking to DH, Pooja HM, a member of Dudiyuva Janara Vedike, said the families possessed valid Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, and other documents and earned their livelihood through begging and odd jobs. “Many families have even taken loans from banks. No prior notice was served before the demolition. Several women are pregnant, and the authorities showed no concern for their condition,” she said.
Residents alleged that district administration officials visited the site during the operation but did not provide any clarification or address the concerns of the affected families.
With the demolition continuing through the morning, more than 3,000 people from nearly 300 families were left on the streets. The authorities maintained that the action was taken as part of an anti-encroachment drive, asserting that the land had been illegally occupied.
Sarah Saif Saufik (26) told DH that her family had been living in the area for over three decades and was never served any notice before the demolition. “They suddenly arrived around 4.30 am and began demolishing the houses while we were asleep. We woke up to the sound of earthmovers and were shocked. The officials forced us out and did not even allow us to take bedsheets or blankets,” she said.
She added that more than 500 children from the area study in private and government schools, and that residents possess valid voter ID cards and have regularly participated in elections. “Many ministers had visited recently and promised roads, drinking water, and houses. Now, they have thrown us onto the streets, and the police hit us when we questioned the authorities over the sudden demolition,” she said.