Acting on the High Court order, the Revenue Department officials demolished 40 houses and tin sheds at Ganapathi Nagar slum in Gottigere on Tuesday.
Speaking to Express, a member of the Special Task Force, Revenue Department, said, “In 2007, the state government auctioned 8 acres and 36 guntas in Bangalore South. As the land was encroached upon, the court on May 3 directed the officials to clear the encroachments by Tuesday.”
The court directed the department to make alternative arrangements to rope in other officials, if the officers concerned are not available due to the election duty.
The demolition drive started on Saturday in the presence of tashildar B Choodamani and Revenue Department tashildar Jagadeesh.
The residents, however, protested against the drive. “We have been living in this area for the last 20 years. Now, about 40 families are forced to live on streets,” said Venkatesh, a resident of Ganapathi Nagar.
Kumar, another resident, who pleaded with the officials to stop the drive and sought time to make transit arrangements, said, “Most of the families have children who are studying. Their future looks bleak as the families have no shelter now.”
