House constructed on Revenue land demolished in Bhatkal

Bhatkal 24 July, 2016 (Bhatkallys News): Government officials knocked down the house of a family living in Heble Panchayat area, claiming the home was allegedly constructed on illegally encroached revenue land. The women pleaded for help as a crowd of onlookers watched a bull dozer plough down the home, on the instructions of Bhatkal Tahsildar and other government officials. Home maker Halima, who belongs to a minority community, and her four children watched helplessly as they were left without a choice but to collect their belongings. The family had been staying for over a year in the house and it is believed the house was constructed on Survey Number 403 – as opposed to the Tashildar’s claim of the house being built on Survey Number 405. Interestingly, the Tashildar did not demolish any other houses constructed on Survey Number 403 as Halima alleges the homes belonged to Non-Muslims. On further probing from local journalists, the Tashildar was tight-lipped and merely cited the order was carried on instruction from government authorities.