Playground: Malleswaram residents protest

BANGALORE: Members of the Malleswaram Residents Welfare Association on Sunday protested against the acquisition of part of the playground situated at 18th cross in Malleswaram.At 9 am, the protesters from several organisations joined the morning walkers and weekend playground users to protest against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s attempt to use a section of the playground for the road widening project.“This is the playground used by students of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College, Government Pre-University College and the Malleswaram Kendriya Vidyalaya.Apart from them, a group under the aegis of Disc and Football Club come to the park everyday to play. How can the government casually propose to take even a section of the playground that is essential to so many people?” questioned Venkatesh, a member of the club.The residents felt betrayed that they had to hear about the proposed acquisition of the land through the media, and the local leaders too did not feel the need to consult the residents and schools, which use the ground.The protestors have decided to come together again on August 7 at 8.30 am to continue their protest and take it forward .As one protesters put it, “We will continue to express ourselves until the government hears us. We want the government to hear us and comply to the needs putforth by our association.”