Chamarajanagar: The Mariyamma temple constructed by martyr DCF Srinivasan has good number of visitors daily. It was the martyred forest officer who constructed the temple with support of villagers in 1990 in Gopinatham, Hanur taluk of the district. On the other hand, the forest brigand renovated Perumal temple in Pudur village which has no visitors.
Speaking to media, Vadivel, a native of Gopinatham said that good work is always valued. Hence, the villagers visiting temple constructed by DCF Srinivasan, stopped visiting other temple renovated by forest brigand, he said and added that at Mariyamma temple priest offers the first puja to the portrait of slain DCF daily as a tribute. He said the people have high respect for the late officer even now.
The undivided Andhra pradesh origin IFS officer DCF Srinivasan was killed by forest brigand Veerappan when he attempted to persuade him to surrender. But Veerappan killed the honest officer when he invited the officer to his place under the pretext of surrendering.
The Perusal temple was renovated by Veerappan with the Monet that was a portion of his loot. Veerappan also used to organise annual festival of the temple in a grand manner every year wherein drama artistes to were invited to perform. Veerappan stopped visiting the temple after police kept an eye on him. After the death of Veerappan people stopped visiting and now only Veerappan’s relatives visit the temple once a year.
