Local body bypolls in violence-hit areas on schedule

 Local body byelections in areas hit by two days of violence by garment employees will be held on schedule.

The district administration, which has been preparing for the elections to the four new City Municipal Councils (CMC) and one Town Municipal Council (TMC) on April 24, was initially concerned as the violence threatened to go out of control. But with the situation returning to normal, district authorities are all geared up to conduct the elections.

Caught in violence

Assistant commissioner of Bengaluru South sub-division L C Nagaraj and Anekal Tahsildar S M Shivakumar were on their way to Anekal on Tuesday for election preparations when they were caught in a wave of violence.

Nagaraj somehow managed to reach the taluk office, which also was affected by violence. But Shivakumar was held up at Bommasandra. His vehicle was among those belonging to the police and district administration that were vandalised by protesters.

Recently, Chandapura, Jigani, Bommasandra and Attibele were elevated to City Municipal Councils and Hebbagodi to a Town Municipal Council owing to increase in population. After the change in their status, elections were announced.