Anti-encroachment drive against places of worship launched in MP

Jabalpur, July 2 (UNI) District authorities in this cantonment town of Madhya Pradesh have removed 168 places of worship in a major anti-encroachment drive and plan to shift another 198 by the end of next year.

To avoid any communal flare-up, the authorities took leaders of different communities, political parties, religious organisations and other people's groups into confidence before launching the drive against religious structures, District Collector Sanjay Dube said.

Boundary walls of many temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches were removed during the drive, while few idols were shifted to other temples during the past 16 months, Mr Dube said, adding many idols were immersed in the river Narmada to honour the sentiments of people.

He said the remaining religious places causing traffic hindrance will be removed within one and half year.

''This endeavour will help in widening the city roads and smoothening the traffic which has been thrown out of gear earlier'', Mr Dube added.

UNI