Tension prevailed at Bagadeerakoppal village on Salagame Road in Hassan on Monday following row over a piece of land. A protest by MLA H S PRakash and his relatives on the disputed land created tense moments.

Puneet and Sharath who have purchased this land, started construction of the compound on the disputed site under police protection. On the receipt of information, Prakash, his brother and CMC member, Anil Kumar, Devendra and the villagers came to the spot and began agitation.

They claimed that the land belonged to the village, but is has been sold. In the absence of any documents they would not allow the land to be cornered by private people.

The women agitators raised slogans. At this juncture, there was a wordy duel between the MLA and police that created tension in the area. In the evening, former prime minister, H D Deve Gowda held talks with both the groups and asked them to maintain peace.

He said he would request the government to resolve the matter at the earliest. However, the villagers contended that the land belonged to them and they are not ready to part with it at any cost.