Even as the district administration on Friday began scrutinising the land records to detect how much land was originally allotted to the Swargadwar cremation ground here, the BJP activists held a demonstration demanding the expansion of the holy cremation ground.
The BJP activists demanded that the encroachments should be demolished and the expansion work carried out since the cremation ground is linked with the Jagannath culture and the people believe it to be a road to heaven if cremated there.
However, scores of local traders likely to be affected by the Swargdwar works held a rally demanding a halt to the expansion as it would affect their livelihoods. However, they demanded that the Swargadwar should be renovated and made more hygienic if not relocated.
Notably, a nine-member investigating team led by the district Collector has started examining records of land allotted in favour of Swargadwar in 1899. Official sources said the team will check all the land records and deals till 1989. Besides, district Collector Arvind Agarwal too discussed the matter with the Govardhan Peeth spokesperson.
Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth Jagadguru Swami Sri Nischalananda Saraswati blamed the State Governments and his predecessors for the Swargadwara land grab dispute.
Excise Minister Damodar Rout spoke against the relocation move and said that criminal proceedings should be initiated against the land grabbers. Besides he demanded that the encroachments should be immediately razed to the ground.