Siliguri, 22nd January: The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) team faced strong resistance from local residents while trying to remove encroachments on government land near the Mahakal temple construction site in Matigara, forcing the team to return without taking any action.
Earlier on the 17th January, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of the Mahakal Temple on government land opposite Matigara City Centre. With temple construction underway, the SJDA has been working to clear surrounding areas.
On Thursday, the SJDA team arrived with bulldozers to remove shops and homes encroaching on its land adjacent to the temple. However, due to protests and anger from local residents, the team had to leave without completing the eviction.
The situation briefly created tension near the temple site, prompting deployment of a significant police presence. Normalcy was restored after the SJDA team left.
Local residents claimed that the eviction drive was carried out without prior notice. They stated that they have been living and running shops there for years, and their families rely on the income from these businesses.
They alleged that their rights are being taken away under the pretext of temple construction.
The SJDA responded by stating that the land belongs to the authority and has been illegally occupied for a long time. Notices had already been issued three times, but the encroachments were not removed. The authority added that in the next phase, notices will be issued again before action is taken.