When there are over 60 temples built in mining area of Keonjhar district, including the State Government owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) having three temples in its leasehold area and over 30 big temples built in Government land, the demolition of the boundary wall of Maa Jagajjanani temple at Ucchbali under Joda block has not gone down well with the locals.
Notably, the Keonjhar district administration has demolished the boundary wall of the temple following an order of the Orissa High Court.
Protesting the demolition drive, the aggrieved locals of Ucchabali area have submitted a memorandum to district Collector N Thirumalla Nayak alleging vested interest in the act. They said that Maa Jagajjanani Trust which runs the temple has taken up various social services in the area. However, since a certain section of people is intolerant of it, they want it razed to ground even when scores of temples built on mining areas and Government land have remained intact.
The locals have also demanded similar step by the district administration against all the temples built illegally in mining leasehold and Government land.
They said that the Shiv temple and Tarini temple at Dubuna in and Serenda mining area of the OMC, Jagannath temple at Badakalimati roadside, several temples in Bichhakundi, Joda and Bamebari mining area of Tata Steel, Siva temple at Bileipada, Siva temple at Guali mining area of JJS Alluwallia, Jagannath temple at Joda East mine area and Siva temple in Tisco medical premises among others as having been built illegally.