Mysuru: MLA L. Nagendra has urged the Police Department and the MCC to clear the encroachment on footpaths in streets around Mission Hospital, Mandi Mohalla and thus pave the way for free pedestrian movement and parking of two- wheelers.

Speaking to press persons here yesterday after visiting the families of the victims of the group clash that took place near Mandi Mohalla Market over a trivial issue on Sunday night, Nagendra alleged that a group comprising members of a community had damaged houses, cars, two-wheelers and other properties and even threatened residents.

Accusing shop owners of encroaching footpaths around Mandi Mohalla Market, Pattegar Street, Kabir Road, Akbar Road and Mission Hospital Road, Nagendra said that the encroachments had given very little space for pedestrian movement and two-wheeler parking. This encroachment had often caused frequent verbal duels between shop keepers and Sunday’s incident was a result of long standing dispute among shopkeepers, he said.

Nagendra further alleged that miscreants have smashed the window panes of the residence and also damaged houses and vehicles of several other residents.

The MLA urged the Police to take stern action against miscreants who had damaged properties over a trivial issue.

Corporators Rangaswamy, Guru Vinayak, leaders Viji, Raju, Srinivas, Somasekhar Raju, Sathyamurthy, Harsha, Jusco Ravi, Badreesh, Chikka Venkata and others were present.

Mandi Mohalla  returns to normal

Meanwhile, several parts of Mandi Mohalla which witnessed a tense atmosphere following Sunday night’s group clash, returned to normal on Tuesday.

The Military Hotel and its adjacent Textile shop, which were the root cause of the clash, remained open on Tuesday and did business as usual.

The clash had erupted after the owners of the Military Hotel and the Textile shop entered into a heated argument over parking of two-wheelers in front of the shops.

Following the clash, MLA L. Nagendra took out a padayatra in troubled areas of the locality last evening and instilled confidence among the residents.

Even as the locality returned to normalcy yesterday, Mandi Police continued their patrol in the backdrop of Ramzan festival.