Stone crusher unit owner opens fire at farmer after locals oppose laying of road on govt land

RAICHUR: A man, said to be a relative of former MLC Y A Narayanaswamy, opened fire at a villager following a dispute over construction of a road on government land in near Manchenahalli on Wednesday. The accusd was identified as Sakalesh Kumar while the injured farmer is Ravi.

Four years ago, Sakalesh had got a mining licence in his wife Usha Nandini’s name and had taken a stone crusher unit on lease on Survery 34 at Vasalasenahalli. However, the villagers had opposed it. On Wednesday, Sakalesh descended with excavators to create a road, which the villagers and revenue officials say is government land.

Sakalesh had been trying to create an access road on gomala land, which belongs to the revenue department, but locals had opposed it.  On Wednesday, Sakalesh descended on the village with excavators and other equipment to create a road when locals protested.

Angry over this, Sakalesh opened fire at one Ravi, who was injured in the leg and has been admitted to hospital. Even waved the pistol at the other villagers in a threatening manner.

The Chikkaballapur district administration had earlier approved laying of a road on Survey Number 188 coming under Manchenahalli. The road construction is to be taken up by the local body and not private individuals, said Police Superintendent Kushal Chowksi.

The SP, along with tahsildar Deepti, visited the spot and the accused Salakesh Kumar has been arrested. Further investigation is under way.