Thanjavur: Demolition work on the Samudra Lake on the way to the Mariamman Temple on the Tanjore-Nagai Road has been underway since 2017, following a court order to remove encroachments on water bodies. 70 houses were removed in Puliyanthoppu village. When the public works department tried to demolish the Adimariamman temple, the temple administration obtained an interim injunction at the Madurai HC.
The court ordered the demolition of the temple within 10 weeks of the public works department filing a statement against it. Accordingly, the demolition work of the temple started the day before yesterday. Knowing this, the Hindu Front rushed in and staged a protest. Thus the demolition of the temple was stopped.
Additional police force
Additional police were called yesterday for the 2nd day. Heavy police security was put in place under the supervision of Vallam Sub-Police Superintendent Sitharaman led by Taluka Police Inspector Kalaniyappan. Police also set up iron barriers to prevent outsiders from entering the area. The demolition of the temple was then expedited with poclain machinery.
The hall and the shrine towers of the temple were all demolished. 90 percent of the work is completed. Demolition work was carried out on the Rajagopuram, which was built in the shape of a Shivalinga. The demolition work of the temple was stopped as it was late at night. Public works officials said the temple would be completely demolished today (Monday) and work to remove 20 encroachments in Arunmozhipet would begin soon.
Case filed against protestors
The day before yesterday, when the Hindu Front protested that the temple should not be demolished earlier, the district general secretary Murugan suddenly climbed on the Shivalingam in the shape of a tower in front of the temple. He should then be allowed to appeal to the court that the temple should not be demolished. He threatened to kill himself if he broke down. Tanjore taluka police have registered a case against Murugan for attempted suicide.
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