Sambalpur SDO behind temple demolition

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo - 14/3): Sambalpur SDO Bilchus Lagra had reportedly asked the local authorities to demolish a Hanuman temple in front of the GM College in Sambalpur. SDO Bilchus Lagra, who is a Christian and intentionally ordered the local Tahsildar Surendra Panda to carry out demolition drive and also asked to demolish the temple, It was note worthy as earlier the district administration was planning demolition drive in other parts of the city but only after SDO Gagra's superiority, the administration demolished the temple. Even the local police officers were not aware about the demolition drive, which had cleared the fact that it was only after Gagra's green signal to demolition the drive. Interestingly, fearing public anger, SDO Gagra even did not dare to remain in office after the tension broke out while his mobile was switched of. Despite several attempts, no contact has been made with him to get his reaction.  The local Tahsildar Panda, who was present at the demolition drive also, was not in favour to demolish the Hanuman temple but SDO as higher authority, Panda had no option. Panda had reportedly told the Hindu activists that he was not part of it. Meanwhile, keeping the public anger arising out of Gagra's anti-Hindu propaganda, district administration and Sambalpur Municipal Corporation have jointly covered up the incident while reconstructing the temple. District Collector Laxmi Narayan Mohapatra assured that he would personally ensure the reconstruction of the temple. However, the activists of Biswa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have jointly given an ultimatum to the district administration to solve the problem.