Hallowed Kamakhya turns battle zone

District administration breaks open locks put by Debutter Board, will submit a report on its finces to Dispur and Supreme Court

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Aug 6: The Kamrup metropolitan administration on Thursday was compelled to seize properties that were kept under lock and key by the Kamakhya Debutter Board, which had been directed by the Supreme Court to hand over control of administration of the revered shrine to the Bordeori Samaj.

A team of administration and police officials led by magistrate Lakhindan Saharia broke open locks of the guest house, locker building, Shankarcharya Trust Hospital, two buildings of the ATDC, Ankhetra and horbari.

The Debutter Board did not abide by the directions of the Kamrup Metro district administration to hand over the properties to the Bordeori Samaj. Four vehicles, including an ambulance, were also seized by the administration and are now being kept under the supervision of the Kamakhya police out-post in-charge, for use when required.

An official source said that the district administration has also appointed two doctors and four nurses at the Trust Hospital which will function from tomorrow. The Supreme Court had on July 8 last, upheld a Gauhati High Court order of 2011 to restore the traditiol system of maging the affairs of the pre-10th century Kamakhya Temple by the Bordeori Samaj in place of the Kamakhya Debutter Board, took over control of the shrine since 1996.

The Samaj, in its petition, had alleged that the traditiol system of a 'doloi' (head priest) from among the Bordeori community heading the religious and administrative affairs of the temple, came to a halt in 1996 after the Kamakhya Debutter Board took over authority from the then doloi forcibly.

In 2011, the Gauhati High Court put the Bordeori Samaj back in control and instructed that two 'dolois' from the Bordeori community be elected to look after the affairs, and the election be conducted by the district administration. The Kamakhya Debutter Board then moved the apex court challenging the High Court order.

The district administration is now preparing a report on the finces and accounts of the Debutter Board which will be submitted to the Supreme Court and State government.