Encroachers attack temple staff including Pandit for opposing to illegal encroachment of temple land [ Andhra Pradesh, India ]

[ Reported as seen ]

On October 22, 2023, Bhadrachalam Sri Sitaramachandraswamy Devasthanam Goshala Andhra Pradesh was attacked by encroachers. Several employees and priests were injured in the attack.

As per a media report, the incident arose as a result of the temple administrators’ decision to chop up trees on temple property in the hamlet of Purushottapatnam. Notably, the temple owns around 900 acres of land in this area. It must be noted that it is recognisied by the Supreme Court as well.

Despite the legal confirmation of ownership since the lands are under the jurisdiction of Andhra Pradesh, temple officials have had difficulties in reclaiming these properties from encroachers. When Executive Officer ( EO ) L Rama Devi was monitoring development on the temple property, this setting set the mood for a violent confrontation.

Farmers who had encroached on the temple properties arrived during the tree-cutting operation and questioned the officials. Their biggest worry was the lack of advance information regarding the tree felling. In response, the Executive Officer stated that the temple owned the whole site and that as such, the temple had complete authority to begin development work.

The farmers first started off with a heated argument but soon physically attacked the temple staff.  Several temple employees, including Executive Engineer V Ravinder and a priest, were injured during the confrontation.

In this it seems like the EO is siding with  the temple officials while the police are backing with the encroachers.