Residents protest at minister Krishna Byre Gowda’s house after Kogilu demolition drive in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Protests were held near revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda's residence Sunday after a demolition drive in Yelahanka's Kogilu village razed over 200 houses in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony Saturday. The drive was carried out by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) to clear encroachments for a proposed solid waste processing unit.Over 300 residents protesting near the minister's Sahakar Nagar home demanded alternative housing and temporary shelters for those left homeless after the demolition. Gowda, who represents the Byatarayanapura constituency under which the area falls, is said to have assured a discussion with the residents' representatives Monday.
The residents claimed the demolition drive, which began at 4:30am, was conducted without any notice and told TOI that power supply to the area had been cut three days earlier.Several organisations, including Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, Praja Vimochana Chaluvali, and Dudiyuva Janara Vedike, are representing the residents and sought temporary shelters and relief centres for those who lost their homes.Accusing the govt of being against dalits and minorities, activist Kolageri Ganesh accused Karnataka of following BJP's and UP CM Yogi Adityanath's policy "against the poor". He urged housing minister Zameer Ahmed Khan to intervene in the matter.Pooja HM of Dudiyuva Janara Vedike also accused the govt of being anti-poor as officials had only instructed residents of Waseem Layout orally to vacate three days earlier without issuing any written notice.The govt issued a provisional order under section 94C of the Karnataka Land and Revenue Act (pertaining to the grant of land in case of construction of a dwelling house in occupied land). "The people are not aware of the formalities since many are uneducated. The order implies that the residents have a right over the land. Many have taken loans to construct houses," she added.Sifting through debrisIn Waseem Layout, residents were seen salvaging through the debris, trying to collect their belongings, documents, and valuables. Rameeza, a domestic worker living in the area since 2020, said: "One of my sons is epileptic and the other is blind in one eye. I lost my husband during the Covid pandemic."Her neighbour, Arifa Begum, said she paid Rs 3 lakh to an agent who ensured all paperwork would be done. "I have spent a total of Rs 18 lakh on my house, which was on a 30x40 sqft plot," she added.The residents said that those affected people include newborns, pregnant women and senior citizens, and added that some animals lost their lives during the demolition.BSWML: Land was illegally occupiedBSWML, in a statement, said approximately 5 acres of land earmarked for it was encroached upon, with more than 150 temporary sheds and houses constructed on the site. BSWML CEO Karee Gowda said the firm has taken possession of the land after clearing the encroachments.The drive, carried out with police protection, involved coordinated efforts of BSWML, fire and emergency services, Bengaluru North City Corporation, revenue department and Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force.BSWML plans to set up a bio-methanation plant, animal rendering unit, animal waste incineration facility, tender coconut waste processing unit, and sanitary waste processing facility in the area.