Siliguri, 17th December: A dispute between two local parties over the construction of a boundary wall around a temple on government land has triggered tension in the Purba Chayan Para area under Ashighar Outpost.
According to reports, the temple has stood on government land in Purba Chayan Para for nearly 40 years, and a local committee has been managing it. With many houses being built around the temple, the locals decided to construct a boundary wall to prevent encroachment. Subsequently, the wall was built.
However, several families residing behind the temple have raised concerns, claiming the wall has obstructed their transportation route. They filed a complaint with the Land and Land Reforms Department, following which officials visited the spot, intensifying the situation. Upon receiving information, police from Ashighar Outpost arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
Priyanka Saha Ghosh, one of the complainants, stated that while the temple stands on government land, the wall has caused transportation issues for several families. She emphasized that despite requests to create an alternative route, no effective solution has been implemented. She further highlighted that in case of an accident, vehicles cannot enter the area and appealed to the administration for intervention.
On the other hand, members of the temple committee and some locals argued that the temple is decades old and the boundary wall was necessary to protect the land from encroachment due to increasing construction nearby. They mentioned that space has been left for the convenience of houses behind the temple, yet complaints persist.