MC takes possession of land near Govt Rajindra College

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 30

A team of Municipal Corporation officials took possession of one acre of land near Government Rajindra College here on Thursday.

The MC team, along with police personnel and Tehsildar Sukhvir Singh Brar, reached the spot in the afternoon and started proceedings to take possession.

Sources in the MC said Government Rajindra College had the possession of the land for the past many years. They said there had been a dispute over the land’s ownership between the college authorities and the Waqf Board for a long time.

Notably, the gardener of the college has been living with his family on the land for the past many years. It is being looked after by the college authorities.

The possession proceedings were conducted in a hush-hush manner and MC officials chose to remain tight-lipped over the matter.

Ravinder Jaura, XEN, who was leading the MC team to take possession, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Senior officials of the college management also could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Gurtej Singh, a Class IV employee of the college, said, “Though the MC is taking possession of the land, the residence of the gardener is not demolished.”

One acre of land taken over by the MC on Thursday is located in the heart of the city and easily accessible.

After acquiring the land, the MC team has parked two fire brigade vehicles and used JCB machine to clean the area.

The MC team has also put up a flex at the main entrance that says ‘Sub-office and sub-fire station, MC’.

Municipal Commissioner Rishipal Singh said, “The fire brigade office will be shifted to the area after taking the possession.”

On being asked if the land belongs to the MC, the MC Commissioner did not clarify its status.