Man tries to set self afire over temple land auction – The New Indian Express

GUNTUR: Mild tension prevailed in Mangalagiri when a person tried to immolate himself protesting the decision of endowments department to auction the temple lands, which his family has been tilling for along time on lease.

Nutalapati Appa Rao took three acres belonging to Seetharma temple in Mangalagiri on lease and has been paying `20,000 towards annual lease. He died last year. On knowing this, the temple officials suspended the lease agreement and called for fresh auction on Monday.

Opposing this, Appa Rao’s son Siva and other family members wanted the officials to continue the lease. When the officials refused, he tried to immolate self. Officials postponed the auction and informed the police.

Siva and his family members said they would be deprived of their source of livelihood if the land is taken away from them. However, the endowments officials argue that they would get double the amount towards the lease if the auction takes place.