This story is from September 5, 2019

Secunderabad: Army notice to priest for ‘encroaching’ defence land

The Army authorities served a notice to the priest of a 150-year-old temple in Secunderabad Cantonment, charging him with encroaching defence land and constructing a temporary shelter there. They also asked priest Mallikarjuna Sharma to respond before September 10, failing which he will be evicted from the place.
Secunderabad: Army notice to priest for ‘encroaching’ defence land
Mallkikarjuna Sharma at what remains of his house at Lal Bazaar on Wednesday
SECUNDERABAD: The Army authorities served a notice to the priest of a 150-year-old temple in Secunderabad Cantonment, charging him with encroaching defence land and constructing a temporary shelter there. They also asked priest Mallikarjuna Sharma to respond before September 10, failing which he will be evicted from the place.
Not long ago, the Army had restricted the entry of devotees into Bhakta Anjaneya Swamy temple in Lal Bazar over installing a gate and citing security reasons.

Sharma, 45, denied encroaching the defence land. The single-room shelter, located on the back side of the temple complex, collapsed recently in heavy rains. “I had a miraculous escape when the shelter made of mud came crashing down. Though it was in a dilapidated condition, I have been staying there for the last 20 years,” Sharma told TOI.
He said the temple is located on A-1 (land under the control of Army) defence land. The priest, who stays along with his family, performs daily rituals at the temple complex. When the temple committee had decided to take up renovation of the shelter, the Army authorities raised objections. “Without taking permission of the Local Military Authority, any work cannot be taken up,” the Army officials argued.
“To my utter shock, the Army officials served me the show-cause notice and asked me to furnish a reply before September 10,” Sharma said. He further said, “Since the shelter had collapsed, I tied a tarpaulin cover so that I can have a temporary roof,” he said.
Meanwhile, president of the temple committee S Anil Kumar faulted the Army for issuing a notice to the priest. “The notice is unacceptable. The priest did not flout any rule. He has every right to rebuild the collapsed shelter.”
He said the Army top brass should be considerate as the priest has only a small shelter to live.
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