The Simhachalam land grab issue has turned controversial with the state government shying away from probe. Will this turn sensational? Will this issue lead to targeting a particular community? The entire episode has now turned interesting. On Monday, the special deputy collector M Surendra had arrived from Tirupati to launch a probe into the Simhachalam Devasthanam lands.
The official in his press conference in Vizag said that the team would inspect the temple lands in order to identify the encroached areas with the help of surveyors, zone two tahsildars, deputy tahsildars and others. The probe would be on for 15 days, following which a detailed report needs to be submitted to the state government.
If needed, an appeal would be made to the government to provide additional staff to help with the investigation, M Surendra said, adding that the probe would definitely help regularize the lands. If the probe would not get completed within the stipulated time, additional time would be sought. The press meet was held in the presence of the Devasthanam Executive Officer V Trinadha Rao.
Detailed survey held in 2008
How many illegal constructions were built in the Panchagramalu lands belonging to Simhachalam Devasthanam? How many completed buildings and vacant lands are present? How much land has been encroached upon? A detailed survey addressing the above issues were carried out by the then Collector J Shyamala Rao. Along with the survey, details of land owners too were included and handed over to the AP High Court so that land regularisation could be carried out. However, with legal hurdles hindering the process, the issue was left unsolved.
Based on fresh complaints
As of now, there are hundreds of illegal structures built on encroached lands belonging to the Simhachalam Devasthanam. Land grabs continue to happen even today. It is to be seen whether the investigation gathers pace due to the fresh complaints being lodged and where the ongoing investigation would lead to.
