Demolition of 'religious' place by Forest dept triggers stir

: A group of people Thursday held protests alleging their place of worship was demolished in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district by the forest department.

Denying the allegation, the forest department officials said the newly constructed structure brought down was not a place of worship and the structure was built illegally on reserve forestland that was allegedly encroached upon.

But, the local people protested demanding immediate reconstruction of it.

Also, they submitted a petition to the district Joint Collector.

A senior forest official said, "Without touching the place of worship and some houses abutting it, we demolished only the new structure which was around 50 feet away and built for pecuniary gains."

In view of the commercial value of the place located near the national highway, some locals wanted to build a commercial building, he claimed.

 

In February this year, the forest officials had foiled attempts by locals to take up any new construction activity in the area, after which they had also given an undertaking that they would not take up any such activity.

Soon, eight pillars with a roof was constructed overnight on Wednesday.

Following this, the forest officials, along with district administration officials, knocked down the structure, the senior official said adding that the situation has been brought under control.