Two places of worship razed in Yelwal

Drive against illegal structures begin in the taluk following a SC directive; locals extend support

It was also the first such operation in the taluk complying with a directive of Supreme Court to clear such structures.

Goddess Chamundeshwari Temple, that was constructed by the locals near the Government School two to three years ago, was the first victim. It was built on an area of 10x10 feet. Residents nearby who were well aware of the move didn’t raise any objection.  They facilitated the drive after safely removing a small idol of the deity in the temple.

In the case of another situated nearby, it was under construction on an area measuring 10x20 feet.

Two earthmovers and gangmen in large numbers were deployed in the operation led by Tahsildar Manjunatha Swamy. The operation, that was launched at around 6.30 pm, lasted two hours.

Notices served

This apart there were also plans to remove Ganapathi Temple, but had to be aborted later as it is abutted by shops. The officers on the spot served notices on the shopkeepers asking them to vacate the premises, to aid demolition henceforth.

Cops drawn from stations and out-posts falling under South Police limits provided adequate security cover.

It was a second such drive in the district, that was first launched in Nanjangud taluk recently by removing temples in Hullahalli. Lakshminarasimha Temple near Kurihundi cross on Hullahalli- Hura road was razed, followed by a Maramma Temple adjacent to KSRTC bus stand.

MUDA too

Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) too cleared encroachments upon its properties at EWS Layout here. A shed and extensions of houses  were removed. MUDA in the recent past had cleared encroachments on Devanur lake. On November 21, the district administration had reclaimed properties after 49 years.

DC speak

Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta told Deccan Herald, in Mysore city alone there are 200 temples, besides 300 in the whole of district listed as illegal.

Abiding by the call given by the district administration to either remove such structures on own or allow the authorities to act, four temples have been voluntarily removed in the city by the locals.

The deputy commissioner said that the drive would continue, sending a warning to those who have given a dead ear to the authorities call.