Bengaluru: Pathankot hero's kin distraught as portion of house to be razed

Bengaluru, Aug 11 (ANI): With the ongoing demolition drive by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for encroachment on storm water drains in the city, a portion of the house of NSG commando Niranjan Kumar, who was killed during the Pathankot terror attack in January, has also come under its demolition list. Niranjan's brother Shashank asserted that it is definitely not a good thing and a shame to the country to see a national hero's house being demolished. "It is very hard for us to digest this because we have lost our brother in Pathankot attack and now we are seeing the house is being demolished. And it is not a good thing to see our national hero's house being demolished. I would request to stop this demolition for good purpose because Niranjan has died for the country and if is going to happen this way then it is a shame for the country," Shashank told ANI here. He said that the BBMP officials have marked for demolition for one of the three pillars on which the house is standing. "For past 20 years we are here and now suddenly they are coming and telling stories without any prior notice. This is going to affect our family and it is going to become a national issue. If we would have got any prior notice then we would have done something about it. It is a shame for the country. It is up to the government to look into the matter and move forward," he added. Meanwhile, BBMP continued with its encroachment clearance drive and marked many more buildings for demolition in Vidyaranyapura. It had identified and marked properties at Yelahanka, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bommanahalli, Mahadevapura and Yeshwantpur. The residents of these areas have strongly criticised the BBMP officials for asking them to make alternative arrangements. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier ordered action against 20 government officials for their involvement in encroachment of storm water drains in the city. (ANI)