At least 70 activists and citizens of Bengaluru were booked for a peaceful silent march held by them in Bengaluru opposing a flyover project along Sankey Lake, back in February. They recently found out that an FIR was registered by the Sadashivanagar police station against them.
The development came even as Bengaluru residents welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to drop the plan to build a flyover on Sankey Road following widespread opposition, an Indian Express report said.
Protesting citizens slammed the Karnataka state government for the move, calling it “draconian” and an attempt to curb the voice of the people and instill fear. They had been protesting in order to create awareness about the possible serious environmental impact of the project.
“The United conservation movement condemns this draconian attitude of the Karnataka government, and it needs to understand that it has filed FIR against innocent people This government doesn’t have guts to take action against the contractor who destroyed the Hosakerehalli Lake, but takes initiative to threaten people, who were only trying to do their duty,” said Joseph Hoover, an environmentalist.
Rajeev Gowda, an Ex-MP who is also booked by the police, labelled the charges preposterous and alleged that the government is trying to intimidate and gag the citizens through this.
“It is outrageous what MLA Ashwath Narayan is trying to do. He’s trying to misuse the power of the government and the police to threaten citizens and activists,” said Gowda. “All we did as concerned citizens was March on the side of the road, and these charges are preposterous. They are trying to intimidate us,” he further added.
Congress leader Priyank Kharge accused the police officials of acting like agents of BJP and further warned of strict legal action when their party comes to power.
“Despite no complaint given, the Sadashivanagar police registered a suo moto case succumbing to the pressure of higher authorities,” added Kharge.
The flyover project proposed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which comprises building a flyover, as well as ramps on Sankey Road between Malleshwaram 18th Cross and Cauvery Junction on Bellary Road. This was opposed by activists and citizens of Bengaluru citing a serious impact on the biodiversity of the region.
The people were booked on sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 283 (obstruction to any person in any public way) and 149 (unlawful assembly with common object) of the Indian Penal Code.
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