Land demarcation row triggers protest at Kondagattu hill shrine

Forest officials in Jagtial district sparked protests after demarcating six acres of land in Kondagattu as Reserve Forest, claiming several temple-related structures fell within the zone. Temple authorities countered that the land was under the Endowments department.

Jagtial: Demarcation of boundaries in Kondagattu by forest officials triggered protests by right-wing activists on Saturday.

Forest officials demarcated boundaries claiming that six acres of land in RF No.684 belonged to the Forest department. Officials also painted markings on stones indicating the area as a Reserve Forest.

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According to officials, the temple executive officer’s office, vehicle pooja shed, parking area, bus stand, water plant and other structures fall within the demarcated zone. However, temple authorities maintained that the lands in question were under the control of the Endowments department.

Opposing the demarcation carried out by the Forest department, activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad began a protest in front of the Anjaneya Swamy temple on Saturday.

They demanded that the entire land in and around the Kondagattu hillocks be handed over to the temple without hurting the sentiments of devotees. The protest would continue until a clear decision was announced in this regard, they added.