Author: NT Bureau
Publication: News Today
Date: June 8, 2003
It is a flagrant encroachment, allege
residents in Perambur colony
Many residents of the Jamalia Nagar
Cross Road in Perambur are, these days, pretty cross. Over what? Er, a
church that is coming up on that 40-feet road.
According to the long-time residents,
the church's construction is in flagrant violation of rules and a brazen
encroachment on the road.
And despite the efforts of the residents
and also 'instructions' from civic officials and police authorities, those
behind the church, christened Annai Velankanni Chitralayam, have been going
ahead with their plans.
Yesterday, based on a case filed
by the residents of the area, a Court Notice was also served on the Parish
priest of Lourdess Shrine, Soundaraju, and a few others who are believed
to be in-charge of the construction. But yesterday itself fresh loads of
stones arrived at the construction site for further work.
A DIFFICULT CROSS TO BEAR FOR THE
LOCALS: Construction work for the church is on at Jamali Nagar. Residents
allege that the construction is not only a case of encroachment but also
is proving to be a risk for them as it has dug out underlying power and
telephone cables (picture on the right).
The locals point out that those
behind the construction are carrying on with their work in the hope that
once a permanent construction comes up it will be difficult to pull it
down.
Jamalia Nagar Cross Road Citizens'
Association secretary Sivanarayan says the construction is obviously in
violation of law. 'It is a clear case of encroachment. We have been running
from pillar to post to get them stopped. But the construction of pillars
and posts is not stopping. Once it becomes a formal place of worship, it
will be impossible to demolish it.'
Points out vice-president of the
association, Gnanguru: 'Already around 25 feet of the road has been encroached
upon. It is pretty logical to presume that the premises will have a compound
wall too. This will eat up at least 5 more feet. So what will be left of
the road is a mere 10 feet'.
Apart from the encroachment, the
construction work has also proved to be a straight hazard for the locals
there. Overzealous construction workers, while digging up the road, have
pulled out underlying power and telephone cables.
Says Sivanarayan: 'We live in fear
of these open cables. Even a small spell of rain can only add to our troubles'.
More than the encroachment itself,
many residents openly allege that there is a concerted plan in the construction
of churches in the locality.
'This is one of the rife grounds
for conversions. Missionary workers are pretty active in this area,' says
one resident.
This upcoming church itself is in
the place of a small niche on which an idol of Mary had been placed.
Ironically, the house, on whose
wall was the small niche, is also said to be an encroachment. A PIL in
this regard is already being fought in the Supreme Court. Some residents
also allege that this particular house owner is hand-in-glove with the
church authorities.
Locals point out that this being
an unpretentious middle-class locality has come under the scanner of missionary
workers. 'There have been many high-profile cases of conversions in the
recent past,' they allege.
The fact that the church under construction
will be the third one (two big ones already exist there) on the same road
is proof enough for the rising religious work there.
'Many residents here now live under
mortal fear. But are not speaking out apprehending communal backlash. Obviously,
the church people will harp on minorities rights. But there is a well-laid
out plan behind their moves. Our rights as well as a public road are being
encroached upon,' says an office-bearer of the association.
Efforts by this paper to contact
the Parish priest proved futile as he could not be reached for comments.
But all things considered, a church
may be for the purpose of those wearing crosses. But at Jamali Nagar a
church itself is at cross purposes of those living there.
