Forest officials claimed that the old temple was an encroachment and thus it was being removed. But authorities had to bow before the agitation. It was only after the authorities assured the local people that action will be taken against the responsible officers and get the temple rebuilt that the agitators called off the agitation.

However, the Western Railway authorities of Bhavnagar division claimed that the religious place was within their premises and the forest officials had not taken any permission before enacting the demolition.

D B Pandya, railways engineer of the Bhavnagar division lodged a complaint against some forest officers, including Range Forest Officer R K Dave, A Waghela and ACF Sagar.

Railway police officers headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police S Shukla went to the spot to take stock of the situation.

The century-old Shitla Mata temple in the forest area of Sasan Gir is said to fall under the railway land. However, with the increase of bus service, this railway line has become almost obsolete.