Compound wall of church partially demolished

The compound wall of a church near here was today partially demolished by revenue officials, triggering protests by people.
Revenue officials said they demolished the wall of the Church of South India at Hasthampatty as it was constructed on 'poramboke' (government) land. However, church officials said the wall was constructed on land belonging to the church.
About 50 feet of the wall was demolished using an earth mover, but the operations were stopped following protests by people. In addition to a church, the CSI is running a school for the mentally challenged, teachers' training school and a home for poor in the area.

Officials led by Salem Tahsildhar Suresh demanded they be shown the land records, to which church authorities said they needed few days' time as documents were at the Coimbatore diocesan office.
Church authorities have lodged a complaint with police, protesting the "illegal" entry and demolition of church property, church sources said.