Priests close temples to protest suicides

The archakas performed the morning rituals as usual but subsequently closed the gates for devotees. The Archaka Parishad demanded a thorough probe into the incident as there were allegations against a few managing committee members that they were responsible for the crime.

The priests 8212; Srinivasa Shastry 32 and Ganapati Shastry 25 8212; both natives of Guntur, were found dead under suspicious circumstances on the first floor of Sri Sitaramanjaneya temple complex at Vengalraonagar. Police said that the priests committed suicide, quot;unable to bear the ignominy at thehands of the temple managementquot;, who charged them of committing theft.

The Sanjeevareddynagar police arrested Upender, vice president, and two others of the managing committee, for abetment of suicide under Section 306 of Indian Penal Code.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu consoled Sharada, wife of Srinivasa Shastri, when she went to the former8217;s residence and assured that he would initiate action against the guilty. The Chief Minister promised to provide education to the children of the deceased priest.

In a statement, K Kasivishwanatham, convener of the Economically Backward Brahmins Federation, demanded that the Government hand over the suicide case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Meanwhile, the Endowment Department has decided to take over the control of the management of the temple.