The Hindu             04.07.2013 

Eight buildings razed in Raichur

The district administration and the Public Works Department demolished eight buildings and a few compound walls near RTO Circle and Station Circle here on Wednesday.

The officials chose to carry out the operation in the early hours of the day anticipating possible resistance from property owners. However, the police were present when the drive was carried out.

Meanwhile, some people at RTO Circle who claimed to be owners of the structures tried to convince the officials not to go ahead with the demolitions.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee member Yankanna Yadav told the officials that one of the properties belonged to his relative and the case was in court.

However, Assistant Commissioner Manjushri, who supervised the drive, did not heed his plea.

Property owners at Station Circle urged the officials to give them a day to vacate the place and their request was granted. The structures were obstructing the construction of a four-lane road from the office of the Superintendent of Police to the RTO Circle. The four-lane road, being constructed at a cost of Rs. 36 crore, was almost completed except in areas where the demolished structures once stood. There were hotels and small shops in these commercial buildings.