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Taking the complaint seriously, the minister issued a strict official order directing authorities to inspect the site and clear the encroachment within seven days in accordance with the high court directives on lake conservation and the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Act of 2014. Recently, during his visit to Shivamogga, minister for rural development and panchayat raj Eshwar B Khandre received a complaint from the residents.
After the minister’s strict directive, revenue and panchayat officials, led by Heggodu gram panchayat PDO Girish and village accountant Bhavya, successfully executed the anti-encroachment operation using JCBs under police protection. Reclamation of a lake area in Tevarateppa, Anavatti hobli (Soraba taluk), executed alongside the clearing of illegal arecanut plantations, has escalated into a political confrontation. Action was taken following a Karnataka Lokayukta notice prompted by local complaints.
However, the clearance operation met swift opposition from senior BJP leaders, including MP BY Raghavendra and former MLA Harthalu Halappa, who led public protests against the drive on Tuesday.