Residents protest encroachment

The illegal structure has hindered the movement of people to village

Several villagers assembled at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Yard here on Tuesday and staged a rasta roko.

They alleged that the stretch, which linked Chelur Road to Kariyappalli, was encroached upon and the area was fenced by some. This has caused inconvenience for the people going to the village.

Not taken ‘seriously’
The residents alleged that their protests against the construction works were not considered seriously and now, the building is constructed without obtaining the tahsildar’s permission.

The protesters, including members of various women’s organisations, complained that they were abused when questioned about the encroachment of the road.
Shirastedar Nagendrappa, who visited the spot, discussed the issue with the protesters. The residents withdrew the protest after he told them that the tasildar was busy and he would address the issue after he returns in a couple of days.

Ramachandrappa, Manjulamma, Susheelamma, Venkatachalapati, Sriramareddy and the members of Dalita Mahila Okkota led the protest.
Sub-Inspector Mallikarjun and the police personnel were deployed as a precautionary measure to prevent the protest turning violent.