Mangaluru: Tension prevailed when officials of the railway department launched an eviction drive on vendors claiming that the latter had encroached upon railway land at Farangipet.
Though the land close to National Highway 75 belongs to the railway department, it was allegedly encroached by vendors selling fish and meat. Though officials warned them to vacate the place, the vendors did not pay heed to the words which forced the railway officials to launch the eviction drive.
When the railway officials initiated eviction drive and attempted to demolish the structures of petty shops, local Gram Panchayat President Ramlal Maripalla rushed to the spot and took the officials to task. Tension prevailed in the area when local people expressed their displeasure over the eviction drive. Meanwhile, a symbolic protest was also held at the same location.
Finally, railway officials withdrew the drive and asked the vendors to vacate the land within a month.
