Siliguri, 28th January: A dispute over nearly 70 kathas of DI Fund land under Matigara II Gram Panchayat has intensified, with rival ownership claims now reaching the district administration. Following a written complaint, Darjeeling District Magistrate Manish Mishra has ordered a detailed investigation and directed the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) to probe the matter.
The complaint was filed by Amrit Thapa, who alleged illegal encroachment on the DI Fund land. He claimed that his family has been residing on the land since before Independence and that applications for leasing the land were submitted to the District Magistrate in 1987 and 2007, for which he possesses documentary proof. He further alleged that a group of people demolished his shop overnight and constructed a boundary wall on the land, calling the act illegal. In connection with the incident, he lodged a written complaint at Matigara police station against around six individuals, describing some of them as part of a land mafia.
The opposing party, Vikram Thapa, rejected all allegations and termed them baseless. He claimed that the DI Fund land was legally leased to him under government rules and that he holds valid documents. According to him, the land was leased to him through a court order in 1982.
Vikram Thapa further alleged that Amrit Thapa does not possess any valid lease documents and is attempting to illegally take over the land by spreading false claims. He also stated that he would file a defamation case against Amrit Thapa over the land mafia allegations.
During a government programme held in Matigara on Wednesday, Amrit Thapa formally submitted his complaint to District Magistrate Manish Mishra. After hearing the matter, the DM stated that the actual status of the land would become clear only after a proper investigation and accordingly instructed the SDO to conduct a detailed inquiry.
At present, allegations and counter-allegations continue between both sides over the DI Fund government land. The issue of legitimate ownership and lease rights will be determined only after the SDO submits the investigation report.