Kolar: Serious allegations of encroachment have surfaced in C. Gundlahalli village of Mulbagilu taluk in Kolar district, where a mosque is allegedly being constructed on land belonging to a government school. The issue has triggered sharp opposition from local residents and has escalated into a major controversy at the village level, prompting intervention by authorities.
According to the villagers, construction work for the mosque was taken up after allegedly encroaching upon land earmarked for the government school in the village. The disputed site is said to be located either within the school premises or in close proximity to it, near a temple situated adjacent to the school campus. Residents claim that the land in question is government property allotted for educational purposes and that any construction on it is illegal.
Villagers have alleged that permission for the mosque construction was obtained from the gram panchayat. However, they argue that the panchayat had no authority to grant approval for construction on government school land. “This land belongs to the school and is meant for the future needs of students. No construction of any kind should be allowed here”, locals alleged, expressing concern over the shrinking space available for the school.
The controversy intensified after villagers submitted written complaints to the concerned officials, demanding immediate action to stop the construction. The headmaster of the government school has also filed a formal complaint with the Mulbagilu Taluk Block Education Officer (BEO), enclosing copies of land records to support the claim that the disputed plot belongs to the school. In the complaint, the headmaster has clearly stated that school land has been encroached upon and sought urgent intervention to protect government property and safeguard the interests of students.
“The future of school children should not be compromised under any circumstances. Government land must be protected and illegal construction should not be allowed”, the complaint reportedly states. In view of the growing tension in the village, authorities have instructed that construction work be temporarily halted until the matter is resolved. Sources said that a notice has been issued to the contractor involved in the construction, directing an immediate stop to all work. Police have also instructed those involved to suspend construction activities to prevent any further escalation and to maintain law and order in the area.
Officials have stated that a detailed land survey will be conducted to ascertain the exact status and ownership of the disputed land. “A survey will be carried out to clearly determine whether the land belongs to the government school or not. Further action will be taken based on the survey report”,an official said, adding that no construction would be allowed to continue until clarity is achieved.
Local residents have demanded strict action if the allegations of encroachment are proven. They have urged the district administration to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for occupying government land illegally. “Encroachment of school land is unacceptable. Whoever is found guilty must be booked under the law”, villagers said.
The issue has now drawn attention at both the taluk and district levels, with elected representatives and officials closely monitoring developments. The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the protection of government land and the role of local bodies in granting permissions. As authorities await the survey report, public attention remains firmly fixed on the outcome, which is expected to determine the future course of action in this sensitive and closely watched case.
