A complaint has been submitted to railway authorities seeking an immediate inspection and enquiry into an alleged unauthorised Church construction on Railway land at Bitragunta in Andhra Pradesh’s SPSR Nellore district.
The complaint, submitted by the NGO watchdog Legal Rights Protection Forum on August 25, was addressed to the Divisional Railway Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer of South Coast Railway’s Vijayawada Division. It alleges that a permanent Church structure has been constructed on Railway land behind the Loco Shed, near the site of the erstwhile Leprosy Home in Bitragunta, Bogole Mandal.
According to the complaint, a photograph of the structure has also been submitted to the railway authorities as evidence of the alleged encroachment.
The organisation claimed that the photograph shows a permanent structure with multiple Christian crosses installed on its roof. It alleged that the nature of the construction indicated that it was a permanent religious structure rather than a temporary installation.
The complainant, however, has sought verification of the Railway’s land records before any action is taken. It stated that if the land is confirmed to be Railway property and the construction was carried out without a valid allotment, lease, licence or permission from the competent Railway authority, the occupation could constitute unauthorised occupation and encroachment of public property.
The complaint also raised questions over how the alleged construction was allowed to take place on Railway land.
“The construction of a permanent structure on Railway land also raises serious concerns regarding the manner in which the encroachment was allowed to take place,” the complaint stated.
The Legal Rights Protection Forum has asked the Railway authorities to physically inspect and demarcate the site, verify the relevant land records and determine whether any permission or authorisation was granted for the construction.
It has also sought identification of the individuals or organisations allegedly responsible for constructing and occupying the structure.
The complainant has requested the authorities to verify when the construction was undertaken and under whose authority it was carried out. It has further sought appropriate proceedings if the Railway authorities find that no valid permission was granted.
The complaint has called for three immediate actions.
First, it has sought proceedings for removal of the alleged unauthorised Church structure after verifying Railway ownership of the land and following due process under applicable law. It has also requested that the Railway land be restored.
Second, it has sought identification of the persons, organisation, trust or religious institution allegedly responsible for the construction and occupation of the site, along with appropriate legal action against those found responsible.
Third, it has called for a departmental enquiry into the role of Railway officials responsible for protecting, inspecting and monitoring the land.
The organisation has specifically sought action against officials found responsible for negligence, dereliction of duty, lack of vigilance or alleged connivance in allowing the construction to take place and continue.
The complaint urged the Railway authorities to treat the matter as urgent and conduct a time-bound enquiry to protect Railway property and prevent further encroachment.
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