Nanjangud: A team of officials led by Tahsildar  Dayananda and Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Kumaraswamy  carried out a drive and cleared illegal petty shops that had encroached upon public spaces in the premises of  Dakshina Kashi fame Nanjangud yesterday.

With Police protection and JCB Machines, they cleared petty shops selling fruits, coconuts and other puja materials that had come up on the pavements and other public places near Girija Kalyan Mandira around the temple.

Though the shopkeepers resisted the operation initially and threatened to commit suicide, a majority of the shop owners vacated the shops voluntarily later.

A few days ago, the local authorities had resolved to clear petty shops that were illegally occupying public spaces in the town.

Apart from complaints that these petty shops were hindering free movement of people in these areas, the Taluk Administration had received complaints from the Police that they were also causing public nuisance.

Officials said that prior information was given to the owners of these shops asking them to vacate on their own, but they had refused to heed   

Meanwhile, District JD(S)  President N. Narasimhaswamy who visited the spot, urged the officials to stop their drive and allow the petty shopkeepers to continue their business as they have been in this profession since 20 years.

He condemned authorities of the government for carrying out this drive suddenly without making alternate arrangements for the shopkeepers.

Angry shopkeepers also demanded the Tahsildar to clear all illegal petty shops on City Municipal Council’s property on the main road of the Temple.

To this, the Tahsildar promised to clear such illegal shops after holding another round of meeting with CMC Commissioner in the second round of the drive.  

Srikanteshwara Temple Management Committee President Puttaningashetty, Committee Members Indanbabu, Shashirekha, Manjula Madhu, AEO Gangaiah, Police Sub  Inspector Anand and others were present during the clearance drive.