Siliguri, 17th June: The Siliguri Municipal Corporation on Wednesday carried out a demolition drive against an allegedly illegal construction in the Pokai Jote area under Ward No. 46 of Siliguri, following directions from the High Court.
According to reports, the action stemmed from a long-standing dispute between two neighbouring families that had previously reached the police and later the court. One of the neighbours had lodged a complaint alleging that a two-storey house had been constructed without an approved building plan.
After examining the matter, the High Court reportedly found the construction to be unauthorized and directed the demolition of the illegal portion of the structure.
Acting on the court’s order, a team from the Siliguri Municipal Corporation arrived at the site in the morning to carry out the demolition. The operation initially faced resistance from locals, leading to a brief period of tension. A large police contingent was later deployed to bring the situation under control, following which the demolition was completed using heavy machinery.
Municipal officials stated that the matter had been pending for a long time and that the action was taken strictly in compliance with the High Court’s directive.
Meanwhile, members of the affected family alleged that the neighbouring complainant had demanded Rs 15 lakh from them and that the complaint was filed after they refused to pay. They claimed that an application for building plan approval had been submitted, but approval had not been granted.
The complainant, however, denied the allegations of demanding money and maintained that the complaint was filed against an illegal construction through proper legal channels, which ultimately led to the court-ordered action.