TRS government totally failed to protect temple land: CPI

Hyderabad: State CPI secretary Chada Venkat Reddy on Thursday accused the TRS government of 'totally failing' to protect valuable Kali Mata temple land in the Old City.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the land in survey numbers 24, 25 and 26, in 7.13 guntas at Bayyalalnagar, Uppuguda, Reddy, who was accompanied by Hyderabad district party secretary E T Narsimha, among others, saw the fence put up by the alleged encroachers. He charged that the landgrabbers enjoyed government support and could create fake documents in mislead court. He contended that the land, worth Rs 100 crore, was occupied because of the endowments department's negligence. He said the party would hold a dharna before the department office in the next two days

The CPI leader claimed that officials had valued the endowments lands involved in disputes at Rs 10,000 crore. He said during the comprehensive government survey, the temple lands were assessed. Yet, why the government failed to take responsibility to protect them, he questioned. He demanded steps by the government to protect temple lands and action against grabbers. Reddy wanted the department to immediately take over the Kali Mata lands and put up a fence. Otherwise, he warned of launching a massive party agitation.

Narsimha alleged the hand of the ruling party and communal elements in the grab of the temple land. He claimed that the department in 2017 had tried to undervalue the land. He asserting that he had stopped its public auction by securing a court stay.

The CPI leader charged the department officials with colluding with encroachers, while demanding action against them under the PD Act. He also demanded an inquiry by a special investigation team (SIT) into the land-grabbing.