Bengaluru, 8 June

While much of Bengaluru was still asleep, residents of Shivaram Karanth (SRK) Nagar, near Thanisandra woke up on Thursday to bulldozers tearing down homes many had lived in for over two decades. Authorities claimed the properties were all encroachments.

The demolition, carried out in the early hours, left families scrambling, as beds, utensils, clothes and household items were thrown onto the road. Children were seen sitting amid the rubble of what were oncetheir homes, as tense scenes unfolded in SRK Nagar in North Bengaluru area, with women and the elderly crying and pleading with officials.

Residents said they were informed on the spot that the land fell under the jurisdiction of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and not Greater Bengaluru Authority (earlier BBMP). Many claimed they possessed valid documents, including sale deeds and e-Khata certificates, Cauvery water connections and electricity connections, and had been regularly paying property taxes. Several alleged that no prior notice was issued before the demolition.

“I bought this house just three months ago. I have all the original documents and paid Rs 3.9 lakh as stamp duty. If this is BDA land, whydid the government take the money and give us water and electricity connections?” a woman told Salar News, adding, “We were about to leave for work. Where will I go now with my small children?”

Another resident alleged selective action by the authorities, saying, “The government only uses its power against the poor and minorities.”

A woman, sobbing and clutching her house papers, said she begged the police to stop the demolition. “They did not listen. No MLA or leader came here,” she told Salar News.

Another elderly man said officials arrived at 6.15am, forced families and children out of their homes, and demolished the houses without notice, even though he had all the papers.

Another young man told Salar News that his family had sold land elsewhere and borrowed money to buy the house, only to be told to leave despite holding documents.

The drive comes days after a similar demolition drive in Kogilu’s Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout on 22 December, when nearly 400 families were rendered homeless in a pre-dawn demolition carried out without written notice, triggering widespread outrage.