K'taka orders action on encroachers in Hampi

Bangalore, Mar 27: Karnataka Home Minister M P Prakash today informed the Legislative Assembly that stringent action will be taken against encroachers of land at the historical Hampi heritage site.

Replying to a matter raised by Bharatiya Janata Party member C T Ravi, he said the Deputy Commissioner of Koppal district had been strictly instructed to clear resorts that had come up in paddy fields. Unauthorised shops set up in the thoroughfares of Hampi had been removed. People, especially those from Kashmir, had left the place on their own after a terrorist was nabbed recently, he added.

Mr Prakash agreed to a charge levelled by the member that hotels were not maintaining cleanliness and said adequate measures would be initiated in this regard soon. A police station had been set up to keep strict vigil in the area to prevent prowling of anti-social elements, he added.

He said a majority of the foreign tourists, who visit Goa and Gokarna before reaching the heritage site, brought ganja and other drugs and belonged to lower middle class. Setting up police station was expected to bring down such illegal activities in future.

UNI