Published Jul 21, 2026 | 7:22 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 21, 2026 | 7:56 PM
Greater Bengaluru Authority.
Synopsis: According to officials, a group allegedly resisted the drive, attacked members of the enforcement team and attempted to obstruct the operation. Police intervened to bring the situation under control and detained seven people. Further investigation is underway.
Five people have been arrested after officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), BBMP and police personnel were allegedly assaulted during a footpath clearance drive in Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar on Tuesday, 21 July. The operation was part of the government’s ongoing campaign to remove encroachments from pedestrian footpaths.
According to officials, a group allegedly resisted the drive, attacked members of the enforcement team and attempted to obstruct the operation. Police intervened to bring the situation under control and detained seven people. Further investigation is underway.
Reacting to the incident, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda condemned the attack, saying those responsible should not be portrayed as poor people.
“They are not poor. They are anti-social elements. Action will be taken against anyone who attacks government officials while they are discharging their duties,” the minister said.
Byre Gowda said the government would continue the footpath clearance drive across Bengaluru and would not tolerate violence against public servants carrying out official duties.
The Minister said the officials had shown commendable courage despite the assault.
“I sincerely thank our GBA officers! Despite assault our team of officers with the Commissioner stood their ground and completed the footpath encroachment clearance on this stretch. Commendable courage under fire! Hats off!” he said.
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Meanwhile, Bengaluru East Division DCP Vikram Amte said an FIR has been registered based on a complaint filed by BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Madhava Rao regarding the assault, which occurred within the jurisdiction of the Commercial Street Police Station.
Amte said a special investigation team would be constituted to probe the incident. “We will examine the plea filed by the officers seeking protection. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. Whoever commits a mistake will not be spared for any reason,” he said, according to a report by TV9 Kannada.
The incident comes amid the state’s ongoing “Safe Footpath” campaign, under which civic authorities have intensified efforts to clear illegal encroachments from footpaths across Bengaluru.
(With inputs from Keerthivas)
