Tension gripped the Kamdahari area on Thursday as officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation demolished the controversial clock tower in Kamdahari, Garia.
The controversial clock tower was was inaugurated by former state minister Arup Biswas on May 24, 2023. Locals had been alleging that the clock towar was constructed illegally on land adjacent to a club ground.
Earlier today, Kolkata Municipal Corporation authorities accompanied by central forces and a massive police contingent, arrived with Hydra cranes and demolished the disputed clock tower.
The structure had been at the centre of controversy ever since its inauguration.
According to local sources, the club authorities approached the court claiming ownership of the land.
A case was filed in the Calcutta High Court nearly a year ago, and the club eventually won the legal battle.
The court had earlier ordered the demolition of the clock tower. However, allegations surfaced that attempts to implement the order had faced resistance.
It was claimed that civic workers and police personnel had to retreat due to obstruction by local Trinamool workers. As a result, despite the court’s directive, the structure remained standing for a long time.
After the change of rule in the state, Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey instructed officials to execute the court’s order.
AcAccordinglythe demolition work began on Thursday in the presence of senior officials from the building department of the civic body. Police cordoned off the entire area to prevent any untoward incident.
A section of local residents said they had been opposing the construction for a long time and expressed relief that the court’s order had finally been implemented.
The development comes amid a crackdown on illegal constructions in the state following the fire incident in Tiljala.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had made it clear that violations of rules would not be tolerated.