CHENNAI, INDIA, May 24, 2011 (Times of India): Encroachments on 2.4 acres of land belonging to Sri Arulmigu Somanatheeswarar temple at Kolathur were removed on Monday. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) officials evicted two contractors of Chennai Corporation who used the land to store materials. In addition, a car mechanic shop and another temporary shed were demolished.
HR&CE is battling with encroachments on its lands across the city. Last year, a piece of prime land which is under the occupation of a political party’s outfit was evicted with police help. This land is very valuable and a small temple without any source of income owns the land.
The land is worth US$5.5 million in the current market rate. An official of the HR&CE department said: “The encroachers refused to vacate the land even though we showed proof including survey details and asked them to move. As they refused, we used JCBs (excavation machines) and requested police help to evict them.”