Petition against illegal shop demolition despite court order

Vijayapura
In a protest against the demolition of shops despite a court stay order, officials of the Karnataka State Samagara Haralaya Sangha submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner Somalinga Gennur.
Jagdish Betgeri, President of the Sangha’s state unit, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the municipal authorities’ actions, accusing them of violating the stay order issued by a higher court. Betgeri emphasized that the demolition, particularly of shops owned by the Lidkar community, was an injustice to the poor and undermined the authority of the judiciary.
Betgeri highlighted that the Lidkar shops had been in operation for over six decades, with the Karnataka government providing a loan in 1983 for the construction of their huts. The huts were later destroyed in a fire set by miscreants in 1999, and the community had to go on a hunger strike to seek justice. The then District Commissioner had assured permanent solutions for the damaged huts. However, despite these assurances, the community now faces demolition orders without prior notice or alternative arrangements.
The Sangha demanded appropriate compensation and remedial action, requesting Rs 5 lakh for each affected family. The petition was supported by local leaders, including Mahadev Kabadé, Parshuram Arakeri, and Yallappa Betgeri.