The Hindu : Demolition of church wall triggers protest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 06, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Demolition of church wall triggers protest

By Our Staff Reporter

KHAMMAM, FEB. 5. The compound wall of a local church was demolished to facilitate construction of an approach road for the railway overbridge coming up at Venkatagiri gate level-crossing in the town on Wednesday. The church authorities opposed the demolition, resulting in a confrontation with the local authorities.

The incident triggered protests from Christian organisations. Backed by the CPI, CPI (M), and Congress leaders, people from the community squatted in front of the church demanding reconstruction of the wall. They prevented removal of the rubble from the place. The protests resulted in mild tension in the area.

Timely intervention by the police helped in restoring normality. Opposition parties made a representation to the district authorities for sparing the church compound from demolition. The church authorities, who sought to draw the attention of the Government on the issue, appealed to the Chief Minister as well as the district Collector for their intervention.

The mandal revenue officer, Nageswar Rao, and the Khammam sub divisional police officer, Chakrapani, assured the church authorities that no damage would be caused to the place of worship. The CPI (M) and the CPI town committees urged the revenue authorities to stop the demolition of the compound wall forthwith.

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Andhra Pradesh