Temple demolition leads to protest

Shivappa, a resident of the village doused himself kerosene in attempt at suicide. Police lobbed teargas shells to quell the protesting mob. Town sub-inspector J N Anand Kumar suffered injuries when the angry mob pelted stones at the police.

Following the High Court order to clear the temple to widen the National Highway 7, the district administration had deployed forces to carry out the exercise. Additional Deputy Commissioner G S Naik overlooked the process.

“Why doesn’t the district administration look out for an alternative road for widening? Why should they demolish the temple,” asked taluk BJP unit president Chouda Reddy.

Petition

The court order came on the heels of a petition from road contractor, KNR Constructions, that sought the removal of the temple as it was hindering the road widening work. The Court which heard the matter directed the district administration to demolish the temple for widening the road. Armed with the court order, Deputy Commissioner Naik came to the temple on Monday and asked the priests and devotees to move out.

When the villagers protested at the presence of the JCB vehicle that would raze the temple to the ground, the Deputy Commissioner Naik entered the temple and asked Tahsildar C A Hanumantharaya to take away the idol and keep it in his vehicle. Later, he himself climbed into the JCB vehicle and asked the driver to carry out the order.

Apparently perturbed over developments, the driver fled from the spot. At this point, Naik himself drove the vehicle to demolish the building but the protesters lay down on across the road leading to the temple, blocking the JCB’s path. The police soon swung into action and dispersed the mob.

Later, the demolition work was carried out throughout the night. Superintendent of Police D T Pawar and DySP Duggappa were present.