The illegal tents and huts that had come up on the dry bed of River Uttara Pinakini near Gowdagere in Manchenahalli hobli in Gauribidanur taluk, was demolished by the taluk administration under tight police security on Thursday.

The demolition of huts and tents which had also come up on the neighbouring private and government lands was led by Tahsildar R Nagaraj Setty.

Most of them were erected by residents of the villages in and around Gowdagere.

Following reports that a few people had erected tents and huts on the land without taking prior permission, the officers of the taluk administration along with the residents of Gowdagere visited had the spot on Wednesday. Heated argument broke between the encroachers and the officers supported by residents. Prohibitory orders were clamped in the area after situation turned tense following argument.

Though there were concerns that similar situation would prevail even on Thursday following demolition drive, it went of peacefully.

The encroachers had voluntarily vacated the huts and tents paving away for demolition.
The demolition drive began at around 7 am on Thursday morning. SP Dr T D Pawar, DySP A B Devaiah and other police officers were present on the occasion.