Srirangapatna, Oct. 9- Following the instructions of Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa, the officials of Srirangapatna Taluk Administration have cleared encroachments along Cauvery river bank yesterday. A private resort, home stay and other commercial establishments, that had been built in violation of law at the river body were demolished, amid heavy Police bandobast.

Prior to the demolition drive, Executive Engineer of K.R. Sagar Division V. Jayanth marked the buffer zone of Cauvery river and a trench was dug to create hadbast (identification of boundary) to prevent any repeat in encroachments in the future.

The encroachment clearance taken up under the leadership of Tahsildar Chetana Yadav, lasted for about four hours. However, it was not bereft of high drama as the locals picked up a wordy duel with the officers.

The officers warned of a strict action as per law, if anyone made an attempt to restrain action against illegal constructions and clearance of encroachment at the lands attached to river bodies.

During the recent visit of Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa to the town, some of the locals had complained about unabated illegal constructions at the buffer zone of Cauvery river and encroachment of space belonging to Water Resources Department.

Subsquently, the Upa Lokayukta had issued directions to the Taluk Administration, in his letter written a month ago, to clear encroachments and file an action taken report.

Chief Officer of Srirangapatna Town Municipal Council (TMC) B.G. Satish and Dy.SP Shanthamallappa led team of officials, supervised the encroachment clearance drive.

Speaking on the occasion, EE Jayanth said, with the mushrooming of illegal home stays and resorts, the kharab lands will be identified in the first phase and details will be shared with the Taluk Administration, for further action.