Danam Accused Of Land Encroachment, Denies Allegations

Labour minister Danam Nagender, on Friday, denied media reports that he was trying to encroach upon the land belonging to Swayambhu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Banjara Hills.

Condemning the registration of cases against him by the Banjara Hills police station, he offered to resign from his post if the allegations against him were proved.

Talking to reporters in front of the temple, he reiterated that the ISKCON-run temple and an adjoining 5-acre piece of land, leased to the Hare Krishna movement, were being used for anti-social activities. He said that he had interfered in the issue on the request of the residents of NBT Colony, as they were being harassed by the activists of the Hare Krishna movement.

The minister slammed the media for portraying him as an anti-social element. He said that he had interfered in the issue in the interest of the general public, and that he would continue to do so whenever required.

Stating that there was nothing new about him being booked in cases, he appealed to the Endowments department to verify the activities of ISKCON. He said that the police should have heard his version, too, before registering the cases against him.

Nagender also expressed shock over the silence of Home minister P Sabitha Indira Reddy over the issue. (INN)