Sirsa admn razes temple wall in anti-encroachment drive

The Sirsa administration has begun taking action against illegal encroachments after years of public complaints. Green belts and public spaces across the city had been occupied illegally, often under the guise of religious or social use and allegedly with political support. Following the removal of encroachments at Surkhab Chowk in March, officials on Friday demolished part of an illegal temple structure on Rania Road. The action came after repeated complaints from locals and growing pressure from civic activists.

The issue was first raised by Saroj Rani, wife of Krishan Kumar, a physiotherapist who runs a clinic on the same road. She complained that during the Covid period a group of people had built an illegal structure, blocking the public street and causing problems for everyone. The Municipal Council issued a notice on 25 November 2024, asking the encroachers to remove the structure within seven days.

However, the construction work did not stop. Instead, the builders claimed it was a religious place and continued to build. Due to lack of action, another letter was sent by the council in January 2025 to the Sub-Divisional Officer, asking for police support to remove the illegal building. But even after this, no immediate steps were taken.

On Friday, a large poster was put up on the temple wall featuring photos of political leaders Gopal Kanda and Gobind Kanda. This move added to the controversy and led to questions about possible political support behind the construction.

Later that same day, the local administration, along with police and a bulldozer, reached the site and demolished the outer wall of the illegal structure. Some nearby residents objected, claiming the temple was 25 to 30 years old and held deep religious value. However, the officials stated clearly that the building had no legal permission and was unauthorised.

The person managing the temple claimed that only repairs were being done and that they had responded to the notices. But Krishan Kumar, the complainant, said the construction was done in the middle of the road, right next to his clinic. He added that he had been fighting the issue for over four years and that the temple was slowly built during the COVID-19 lockdown, starting with the burial of a dead monkey on the road.

Krishan said he was receiving threats since the demolition and had closed his clinic for the safety of his family. He thanked the administration for finally taking action, saying it gave him hope that law and order still existed.

Meanwhile, social worker Kartar Singh said that only a part of the illegal construction had been removed so far. He planned to go to the High Court to request the complete demolition of the structure.