Bhatkal Nagabana issue: Restoration of the current structure, resolved after mutual understanding

Bhatkal: 18 April 2021 (Bhatkallys News Bureau) People in Bhatkal protested on Friday morning against the illegal construction of a wall on disputed land near Naga Banna (Nagar Katta) on Bhatkal Main Road, demanding that the work be stopped, which the collector had temporarily suspended. In this regard, a meeting with the temple administration, including leaders of the Majlis e IslahwaTanzeem and MLA, was held last evening in the office of the Assistant Commissioner, but the meeting ended without a resolution. The police department then held another meeting with community representatives at 11 p.m., during which they decided to restore the current structure. The incident of 16^th April People present on the disputed land of Nagar Katta opposite Maulana Azad Cross on Bhatkal Main Road objected to the construction work as soon as it began this morning, and requested immediate restraint from the administration. According to the locals, this land is contested and has previously been blocked, and there is a risk of the city's environment deteriorating due to development here, for which a police van has already been deployed. According to the people, about seven inches of land has been occupied and a mark has been placed for the construction of a compound, which is absolutely illegal. People wonder how such illegal construction can be carried out in the presence of the police, and how anyone can carry out illegal construction work on disputed land in the presence of a police van. In this regard, the organization's officials met with the Tehsildar in the morning and requested a halt, prompting the Tehsildar to order the CPI to halt the construction work immediately. Instead, at two o'clock, the building work came to a halt. Sunil Naik, Bhatkal (MLA), arrived at the site in the evening and spoke with the Tehsildar and Police Department, stating that the government had sanctioned Rs 7.50 lakh for the construction work, which the Deputy Commissioner had authorized. We've also released Rs. 200,000 for this purpose. Today we will finish the construction. We have never tried to stop the construction of anyone's religious sites, even near Jain Basidi where construction work is prohibited, we have never tried to stop the construction of private buildings, so why are people from other sects interfering with the work of our temple? Sunil Naik, holding a piece of paper in his hand, said, "This land's RTC papers are in my hand. We are not constructing something in a new place."He requested the Tehsildar to provide protection for the temple's building. We will leave only after the construction work is completed, said Sunil Naik.DYSP Bhatkal Bailey Appa, who was in attendance at the event, said, "You should come to the Assistant Commissioner and speak with him on whether or not construction work should be done. We are prepared to provide protection if he permits the construction work."Many BJP workers including Asarkeri temple president Krishna Naik and Bhatkal Tehsildar Ravi Chandra were also present on the occasion. While talking to the media Several locals have alleged that work on the said land began in the presence of the police. When the residents protested, the police said to have permission from the Tehsildar. The police were far from the facts when people called the Tehsildar. When the work did not stop amid repeated police demands, Tanzeem officials met with the Tehsildar to resolve the situation. As a result, the Tehsildar has ordered the CPI to temporarily stop construction work. Locals allege that the police failed to stop the construction work despite the Tehsildar's order. The Tehsildar had called a halt to the building work around twelve o'clock, but it didn't start until around two o'clock. Locals have voiced their displeasure with the police's actions. According to them, there is a dispute over the disputed lands, and no constructive work can be performed there until the dispute is resolved. Furthermore, no building work can be undertaken on any property without the permission of the landowner. People claim that because of a land dispute, the police are always present and keep a close eye on the area, but no one knows how the stones and sand were gathered. The question of how illegal activities began in the presence of the police is often raised. The taluka administration imposed Section 144 under restraining orders in Bhatkal municipal limits and increased vigilance across the area on Saturday to prevent any mischief and keep the situation under full control.