Koppal: The operation to remove encroachments along the road to Huligemma Temple, a significant religious site in North Karnataka located in Huligi, reached its fourth day on Saturday.This effort is a reaction to the traffic congestion and the stampede that occurred when over 3 lakh devotees visited Huligi on Oct 7 for the Seege Hunnime festival. Many devotees faced difficulties during the stampede that day. The challenges were exacerbated by the alleged negligence of Prakash Rao, development officer of the Huligi Authority, who was responsible for implementing safety measures in anticipation of potential crowding.In light of this, the district administration initiated the operation to clear the encroached shops on both sides of the temple’s main road on Oct 8. Deputy commissioner Suresh B Itnal established a committee for this purpose. A team led by ADC Sidrameshwar and assistant commissioner Mahesh Malagitti was tasked with overseeing the encroachment removal. On the day the operation commenced, DC Suresh B Itnal and SP Ram L Arasiddi were present to ensure the clearance process went smoothly.The DC and SP communicated the issues to the shopowners whose establishments were encroaching the road. The DC and SP persuaded them to cooperate with the clearance efforts. Police also visited each shop to explain the necessity of removing the encroachments.DC Itnal directed Prakash Rao, development officer of the temple authority, to arrange for adequate security and facilities in the upcoming days. He noted that lakhs of devotees visit the Huligemma Temple every Tuesday, Friday, and during full moon days. It is the duty of the temple’s development authority to ensure that these visitors have the necessary facilities and security. He emphasised that if any incident occurs in the future, the official concerned will be held accountable.
