Tirupur: A newly-built church was demolished as it was constructed without permission in Ganapathipalayam Panchayat in the district on Monday.
However, the concerned minority people claimed that they had obtained permission from the local body. Further, they alleged the demolition was ordered mainly because of 'pressure' from a Hindu outfit.
District administration authorities said the permission given by the local panchayat is invalid and hence it was demolished. The plan to provide an alternative land is now under consideration.
More than 30 dalits decided to build the church, and they are said to have obtained permission from the Ganapathipalayam panchayat in August 2016, to build it on a poramboke land near three-road junction in Parai.
Since they were from a modest background, they collected donations and carried out the construction works for more than a year. The church, which was constructed on two and a half cents of land, has an asbestos sheet roof. It was dedicated on November 29.
"We were allegedly facing threats from supporters of a Hindu-outfit to remove the church from the locality for the past two weeks. We have sent petitions to various government authorities seeking protection. The district administration authorities were forcing us to remove the church," Enosh Rajendran, Pastor of the church said.
On Sunday, the district administration authorities told them that they may anytime demolish the church if the order comes. So,the people requested them not to demolish the church until they meet the collector.
"When all of us came to meet the collector during the grievance day meeting, the church was demolished totally in presence of the police force," Rajendran said.
When contacted, a higher revenue official said, "They had to demolish the church because they had didn't get prior permission from the district administration directly. Many churches have got permission that way and are functioning. In this case, we are searching to find out an alternative land for the church."
