Bengaluru, 21 July 

Street vendors allegedly attacked Bengaluru municipal officers and employees who had gone to clear encroachments on a footpath in Shivaji Nagar on Tuesday.

On the directions of Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority have been carrying out a drive to remove encroachments from pavements.

On Tuesday, when a team of GBA officials reached Shivaji Nagar, some people allegedly turned violent, dragged Assistant Executive Engineer Gowtham and a few other officers onto the road, and assaulted them.

They allegedly used pepper spray on another official named Ruchitha.

"Five suspected attackers have already been caught by the police. The main instigator, Basavaraj Pudukote, will also be arrested soon. All the attackers will be booked on charges of attempt to murder," a police officer said.

Condemning the attack, Gowda said he had directed the police to take stringent action against those responsible.

"The attackers are not hardworking poor people earning their livelihood. They are anti-social elements. Assaulting government officials while they are implementing the Hon'ble Supreme Court's directions is a serious violation of the law. We stand firmly with officers discharging their public duty in accordance with the law," he said.

According to Gowda, the driver of a tractor and the operator of an earthmover engaged in the encroachment removal drive were also hospitalised following the attack.

"Police have arrested some people. I have asked the police to book Basavaraj under the Goonda Act. Those who attacked our staff with pepper spray will be booked on charges of attempted murder," the minister told reporters.

Denouncing the attack, GBA Employees' Union president Amruth Raj, along with a large number of GBA employees, staged a demonstration in front of the Commercial Street police station.

He said the accused had been identified and should be arrested immediately.

"It is highly deplorable that the attack took place in the presence of the police. We demand strong police protection. We will not stop this drive midway; we will complete it," the union president said.

He said the employees would suspend all work, including the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, if the accused were not arrested.