The demolition drive by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been undertaken to get rid of the encroachment on storm water drains in the city.

A portion of residence of National Security Guard (NSG) commando Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar, who was martyred in the Pathankot terror attack in January, has come under demolition list. The demolition drive by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been undertaken to get rid of the encroachment on storm water drains in the city. BBMP officials have marked for demolition one of the three pillars on which Kumar’s house is standing and family and has requested authorities for more time. Niranjan’s brother Shashank asserted that it is definitely not a good thing and a shame to the country to see a national hero’s house being demolished. “It is very hard for us to digest this because we have lost our brother in Pathankot attack and now we are seeing the house is being demolished. And it is not a good thing to see our national hero’s house being demolished. I would request to stop this demolition for good purpose because Niranjan has died for the country and if is going to happen this way then it is a shame for the country,” Shashank told ANI.

“I Salute Lt.Col Niranjan’s parents for cooperating and agreeing to demolish the encroached portion,” said S Alam,BBMP Assistant Commissioner. Jagdish Shettar of BJP said that respect should be given to the family of Colonel Niranjan which has made such a sacrifice. Meanwhile, BBMP continued with its encroachment clearance drive and marked many more buildings for demolition in Vidyaranyapura. It had identified and marked properties at Yelahanka, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bommanahalli, Mahadevapura and Yeshwantpur. The residents of these areas have strongly criticised the BBMP officials for asking them to make alternative arrangements. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier ordered action against 20 government officials for their involvement in encroachment of storm water drains in the city.

Niranjan Kumar was a member of the National Security Guard’s (NSG) Bomb Disposal Squad and was killed while trying to defuse a live grenade from the body of a dead terrorist at the Pathankot airbase in the January 2 attack.