Call to evict meat shop from temple premises

VELLORE: Sources said K Anbu, councillor representing ward 1, in a petition to Collector Kumaravel Pandian stated that the families of AIADMK area secretary Janarthanan and joint secretary Murali were running a meat shop on the premises of the Gangaiamman Temple.

They sell chicken and mutton in the mornings and chicken pakoda in the evenings, while locals also consume liquor and urinate in the area resulting in devotees, especially women hesitating to visit the temple, Anbu said in his petition. Hence, he requested that the shops be cleared so that devotees could visit the temple without fear.

When asked about this, Janarthanan told this reporter, “I am the trustee of the temple and the shops were given on lease 15 years ago. It is the leasee, who pays the power bill of the temple failing which the temple won’t get funds for this facility.”

Elaborating he said, “It is Anbu’s relatives, who consume liquor in the area which is on Chittoor Main Road. He already complained to the local police who found no fault and hence he has gone to district officials with the same demand.” Enquires revealed that enmity generated during the rural local body polls. As Anbu had also petitioned the Corporation Commissioner, sources said that the issue would be investigated.