Assam: Dibrugarh administration clears alleged encroachments from British-era Ganesh temple land

The Dibrugarh district administration on Thursday, August 6 carried out an eviction drive to remove alleged illegal encroachments from the premises of the historic Ganesh Temple at Naliapul, demolishing several permanent structures constructed on the disputed land.

The operation was conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrate Samujjal Bora, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation in-charge official Nobhas Das, and a large contingent of district administration personnel.

According to the temple priest, the Ganesh Temple, located along National Highway 37, dates back to the British era and originally occupied around 13 bighas of land. He alleged that 18 individuals had encroached upon a portion of the temple property over the years and constructed permanent houses.

During the drive, the administration demolished several structures built on the land claimed to belong to the temple.

The priest said the temple land should be preserved exclusively for religious and community purposes. He added that plans are being considered to develop the premises into a Sanskriti Tol, a centre for cultural learning, along with a spiritual complex.

Claiming that the land had been forcibly occupied over an extended period, the priest said the property was originally donated during the British period by Rai Bahadur Jahaj Ram Ram Das. According to him, the land was gifted to a Naga ascetic from Kashi (Varanasi) to promote Sanatan Dharma, following which the Ganesh Temple was established at the site.

The priest, however, acknowledged that some of the alleged encroachers have secured stay orders from the court. Those cases remain under judicial consideration, and no action was taken in respect of properties covered by the court's directions.