The Karnataka government has announced plans to arrange alternate accommodation for 180 families evicted from Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout on December 20, citing law and order concerns.

Government Response and Meetings
The decision was made at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, attended by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, and senior officials. Siddaramaiah emphasized that action would be taken against officials who allegedly allowed illegal tenements to be built on the site.

Shivakumar visited the Faqir colony demolition site and defended the move, calling it necessary to maintain law and order. He stressed that Bengaluru must remain orderly and that unauthorized structures cannot be tolerated. Administrative measures, including partial construction of a compound wall and solid waste management, were cited as steps taken to manage the area.

Political Reactions
Shivakumar criticized Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan for allegedly politicizing the issue ahead of elections, asserting that it is a local matter concerning urban management and health hazards.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has sought a detailed report from the Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA) authorities regarding the evictions and instructed its police wing to examine the legality of the drive. Commission chairperson Shyam Bhat personally visited the colony to hear grievances from affected families.

While the state leadership has defended the demolitions, AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge K.C. Venugopal urged that such actions be executed with greater sensitivity and compassion toward displaced residents.

The government’s current focus is on arranging temporary housing and addressing administrative lapses while maintaining city regulations and public order.