The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Tension in temple town over fate of two buildings

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Monday, Jan 14, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Tension in temple town over fate of two buildings

Chandra Bhaskar Rao

Both structures were constructed in violation of scheduled area regulation act

‘Panchayanam’ conducted at the buildings
Non-tribal families affected by the act stage demonstration

BHADRACHALAM: Tension gripped the temple town as the row over the fate of buildings ‘constructed’ in violation of the scheduled area regulation 1/70 in Bhadrachalam took a turn on Sunday with revenue officials announcing the takeover of two massive structures – a big hotel and a big residential complex.

The Pourasamiti –an organisation floated by non-tribal families affected by the implementation of the I/ 70 regulation in the town, staged demonstrations in front of the hotel thus preventing officials from entering the premises.

‘Stay’

The hotel management pleaded with the revenue officials that it had already obtained a ‘stay’ from the Revenue Minister against takeover or demolition of the building.

But the ‘stay’ order given by the Revenue Minister would not be of any use in respect of the building constructed in violation of the scheduled area regulation, argued the officials. A delegation of the Pourasamiti leaders met Sub-Collector K. Bhaskar and pleaded with him to stall the takeover process. They sought time to sort out the issue as it would affect more than half the residential and commercial constructions in the temple town.

A team of revenue officials led by the mandal revenue officer conducted ‘panchnama’ at both buildings late on Saturday evening thus stirring the hornet’s nest. The Pourasamiti leaders had several rounds of meetings since last night and decided to call a bandh in the temple town on Monday. They resolved to take up the issue with the Ministers from the district and the Chief Minister and step up the agitation.

Responding to the situation, Minister for Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Vanama Venkateswar Rao reached the temple town and met the protesters at the hotel. Sharing their concern, he said that the Government was already in the know of the developments in Bhadrachalam town and moves were afoot to find an amicable solution to the problem. Interests of tribals and non-tribals would be taken care of, he added.

The Pourasamiti leaders, Adusumalli Jagadeesh, P. Satyanaraya, K. Satyanaraya, and K. Nageswar rao threatened to step up the agitation if the Government failed to come to their rescue.

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