Civic authorities in Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar faced an attack during a footpath encroachment clearance drive, leading to tension in the area. The incident occurred near the bus terminal as officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) were conducting an anti-encroachment operation. The attackers allegedly obstructed the drive, assaulted civic staff, and used pepper spray against personnel involved.
Reacting to the situation, Bengaluru Urban Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda condemned the attack, labeling the perpetrators as “rowdies.” He assured that all individuals involved in the incident would be arrested. The encroachment clearance drive had commenced at 9 a.m. with prior announcements in the area, but tensions escalated when a group interfered and attacked the officials.
“We started the encroachment clearance operation at 9 a.m. after making announcements. We do not know who they were. They started assaulting us and sprayed pepper spray on us,” stated a BBMP supervisor. The situation worsened as an Assistant Engineer was reportedly attacked with a helmet during the operation. Officials mentioned that activists engaged in a heated argument with GBA personnel and police before the violence erupted.
Given Shivajinagar’s history as a communally sensitive area, senior police officers swiftly arrived at the scene and deployed additional personnel as a precaution. The encroachment drive was temporarily halted but later resumed under heavy police protection. Bengaluru Police, in collaboration with senior GBA officials, conducted the clearance operation and removed encroachments around the Shivajinagar Bus Stand area.
