RAJAHMUNDRY: Protests erupted in Konaseema district after some unknown miscreants damaged the Shivalinga at Bheemeswara Swamy Temple in the temple town of Draksharamam on Tuesday. The temple is one of the sacred Pancharama Kshetras dedicated to Lord Shiva in Andhra Pradesh.The sacred Shivalinga is located at the Koneru (tank) of Draksharam Bheemeswara Swamy Temple in Konaseema district. The incident has angered the public, who staged a protest.
BJP state general secretary S. Laxmi Prasanna and BJP district president Adabala Satyanarayana have condemned the incident and demanded that the government take immediate steps to nab the criminals.Talking to TOI, Ramachandrapuram DSP Raghuveer said that the Shivalinga is situated at the Kapileswar Ghat on the banks of the Saptha Godavari canal.Some miscreants might have damaged the idol, which is situated outside the premises of the main temple. Six teams have been formed by the police to investigate whether the culprits committed the crime intentionally or if any other mischievous individuals were involved in this shameful act.Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took serious note of the incident and spoke to endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy. The minister told the chief minister that he was in touch with the district collector, SP, and the district in-charge minister. He also informed that police have formed teams to trace the culprits.The chief minister has directed the minister to take stern action against the culprits and to keep him informed of any developments. Anam told the chief minister that the Shivalingam has been restored in the presence of Endowments authorities.
