Demolition of mastikatte trigger tension

An idol  installed at Mastikatte under a peepal tree, had religious significance. The demolition of the Mastikatte irked locals as well as some organisations.

It was said that a portion of the Mastikatte was demolished only to resize it and make it convenience for road widening. The protestors shouted slogans against the district administration. The demolition of the Mastikatte has hurt the feelings of the devotees, they said. They urged the authorities to suspend the work immediately.

As the news began to spread, large number of people gathered at the spot. Hearing the news Mayor Shanker Bhat, MLA Yogish Bhat, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj, MCC Assistant Engineer Ganesh rushed to the spot. It was said that to facilitate the road work, the temple management had given portion of its land. It was even ready to forgo the welcome arch. However, when the MCC decided to demolish Mastikatte, the Managing trustee of the temple opposed it, thus created tension.

However, DC expressed unhappiness over Temple Managing Committee for bringing court order to maintain statusquo without touching the Mastikatte instead of solving the problem amicably.

DC held a meeting with the temple management committee members on the temple premises.  DC said the instead of the proposed fourlane of the road, only three lane will be completed. The work on fourlane will be undertaken without touching Mastikatte later.

Managing Trustee Shashidhar Bhat said the work can be started after performing rituals. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mayor Shanker Bhat said “the protest was done just for the publicity. In fact, we had decided to preserve the peepal tree and the Katte by reducing the size of the katte, when we started te work.”