West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; July 18 : The district administration on Saturday demolished a shed located in front of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee's office at Amtala in Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas district, as part of an official enforcement action. The demolition was carried out amid heavy security, with a large deployment of police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces ensuring that the operation proceeded without disruption.

Using a bulldozer, officials removed the blue-coloured shed situated in front of the office while maintaining a tight security cordon around the premises. The entire area was placed under strict surveillance throughout the operation, and movement near the site was closely monitored by law enforcement agencies.

The action followed a complaint alleging that a five-storey building adjacent to the office had been constructed without an approved building plan. After receiving the complaint, the authorities issued notices to the concerned parties, asking them to appear for a scheduled hearing and present supporting documents regarding the construction.

Officials claimed that despite being served notices, none of the concerned parties appeared before the authorities on the scheduled date to present their case. As a result, the administration said it proceeded with enforcement measures in accordance with the applicable legal and administrative procedures.

On Saturday morning, police and Central security personnel sealed off the area before the demolition began. Senior officials, including the Block Development Officer (BDO), the Block Land and Land Reforms Officer (BL&LRO), and officers from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, remained present at the site to supervise the operation.

Under the direct supervision of the administration, the bulldozer was used to dismantle the shed located in front of the office premises. Officials stated that any further action in connection with the property would also be taken strictly in accordance with the law. However, they did not provide any official details regarding the next stage of the proceedings.

The South 24 Parganas district administration had earlier issued notices on June 30 in the names of Amit Banerjee, Mati Mallick, and Sushanta Mondal. The notices directed them to appear before the concerned department on July 15 at 2:00 p.m., carrying relevant documents and evidence to explain their position regarding the alleged unauthorised construction.

The notice was issued following a complaint filed by Sushanta Mondal. The administration maintains that despite receiving formal notices, no representative connected with the office appeared during the hearing. Officials said that this absence led the authorities to proceed with the demolition under the prescribed legal process.

The incident has once again brought attention to the administration's ongoing drive against alleged unauthorised structures in the state. Officials have reiterated that all such actions are being carried out in accordance with legal provisions after following due administrative procedures.

The latest demolition also recalls an earlier operation conducted on May 24, when the administration used bulldozers to demolish another Trinamool Congress party office in the Moydanpukur area near Kolkata's EM Bypass. At that time, local residents had alleged that a club was initially established on the site after 2011 and was later converted into a party office. Residents had also accused the occupants of encroaching upon public land and engaging in other alleged illegal activities in the area.

The demolition at Diamond Harbour now completed, officials have indicated that the matter will continue to be examined through the appropriate legal channels, while any future action regarding the disputed property will depend on the outcome of the ongoing administrative process.