Christian missionaries have begun constructing a church on forest land in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district which falls near the famous Hindu shrine of Shri Lakshmi Jagannatha Gattu, Organiser has reported.

The temple is situated amidst rolling hills which are considered sacred by Hindus and also host an annual temple fair which is attended by lakhs of devotees. The church is reportedly being constructed at the Jagannatha Gattu Hill area adjacent to these sacred lands.

As per the report, a giant cross was constructed at the site about four years ago following which a construction of a church too has begun on the land which belongs to the forest department as per a notice board erected near the construction site.

This has resulted in citizen advocacy group Legal Rights Protection Forum lodging a complaint against both the church and the cross with the Forest Protection Division which has been forwarded it to the District Forest Department.