Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 25: MLA, Mohiuddin Bava, said that he has directed the city police commissioner to register case and take stringent action without fear or favour against those who demolished shops located by the side of national highway at Bykampady. He said he had visited the spot. "Highway authorities,when contacted, have said that they were not involved with this demolition drive. Even the deputy commissioner and police commissioner are ignorant about the operation. Therefore I have asked them to legally move against those who undertook these illegal demolitions," he stated.
Bava said that when the shop premises were destroyed at night with the help of a backhoe, some workers were sleeping inside and they came out after hearing the sound of the backhoe. He questioned as to who will be responsible if lives had been lost in the operation. "I have been informed that there were gas cylinders inside the hotel premises. Shop owners have told me that cash and other assets were stolen within minutes of the demolition drive. Who will own responsibility for the loss?," he wondered. He said the backhoe used for the operation has been taken into custody.
Bava called upon the National Highways Authority of India to set right issues relating to highway like provision of proper service roads, clearance of traffic jams, shifting of tollgate etc on priority before resorting to activities like demolitions.
Dakshina Kannada district secretary of Popular Front of India, A K Ashraf Jokatte, has asked the department of highways to take action against those who undertook this demolition and to provide alternative facilities to the affected people.
A total of eight shops were demolished in this drive. Owners of seven shops and hotels have filed a joint complaint in Panambur police station, whereas the wine shop owners have registered a separate complaint. The complainants have named National Highways Authority of India and a person named Rajaram in their complaints. Estimated total loss suffered in this drive is Rs 92 lac. While the highway authorities told the police that they were not behind this drive, the shopkeepers have pointed fingers at Rajaram, who resides behind the shops now demolished, as the likely offender.