Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (TP)
Brahmavar, Jan 13: A protest was staged under the leadership of Kundapur MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, condemning the demolition of houses and sheds constructed on government land within the limits of Heggunje gram panchayat.
The protest was organised in front of the Brahmavar tahsildar’s office against the tahsildar and the administrative system after the houses of five poor families from Heggunje village, who had been residing on government land for nearly 20 years, were demolished. Several local residents of Heggunje participated in the protest and insisted that they would not vacate the premises until justice was delivered.
On the morning of January 12, JCB machines were suddenly brought to the site and all the houses were demolished. Expressing strong anger, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said that while there are people who have constructed houses worth crores of rupees on government land, the demolition of houses belonging to families who had been living there for over 20 years is highly objectionable.
During the protest, Brahmavar rural BJP president Rajeev Kulal and Brahmavar Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha president Birthi Rajesh Shetty also voiced their anger over the action taken by the authorities.
Responding to the allegations, Brahmavar tahsildar Srikanth Hegde stated that the land in question had been encroached upon. He explained that an individual had illegally sold government land without valid documentation and that a land-grabbing case had been registered. Acting on complaints and government directives to protect government property, the demolition was carried out.
The tahsildar further stated that a written notice was issued on December 12, 2025, to one of the individuals, who personally received it but failed to take corrective action and instead continued construction. He added that eviction was ordered on January 8, but officials faced resistance, with JCB drivers being threatened and driven away. “All JCB drivers in the taluk were reportedly prevented from carrying out the work. Therefore, eviction was again carried out on January 12, during which unused sheds and houses were demolished,” he said, urging people to verify land records thoroughly before purchasing property.
The protest saw participation from the affected resident Devaki, local residents of Heggunje gram panchayat, Kundapura MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Kudubi community district organising president Prabhakar, Heggunje village committee members Guruprasad, Shankar Poojary and Vittal Poojary, City Municipal Council former president Prabhakar Poojary, BJP leaders Ratnakar Shetty, Umesh Naik and Nalini Pradeep Rao, among others.