Simna: Tension flared at the Brahmakunda Tourist Centre after allegations surfaced that construction materials meant for the Tourism Department’s development project were diverted and sold elsewhere, prompting protests from local residents.
The controversy began after claims emerged that eight truckloads of bricks from the construction site had been sold outside. Addressing the matter on August 15 at the Brahmakunda Shivbari Mela ground, Kalyan Kumar Bandopadhyay, manager of Shyam Engineering Company — the firm contracted for the construction — said he had personally authorised the sale of the bricks to Anjan Pal, who he said assisted in monitoring day-to-day site issues.
However, a separate matter subsequently emerged when Tipra Motha party leaders, accompanied by police from Sundartila outpost, inspected a house in Nagarpara and found several tonnes of construction rods stored there. The house owner said Anjan Pal had left the rods on the premises. The manager confirmed the rods belonged to the project site but said he had not authorised their sale, and stated that legal action would be initiated against Pal, including a General Diary entry at Sundartila police station.
Residents have called for a transparent inquiry into the matter and continuation of the tourism development project.