Konark: The multi-storey ashram built by Bana Baba on encroached forest land at Darshanibanta near here was razed completely today in the presence of adequate police forces and administrative officials.
The Kali temple, Yanja mandap and kitchen had been demolished earlier while the main ashram was razed in the presence of two platoons of police forces and around 80 forest officials.
Bana Baba, who is currently staying in a temporary shed, has slammed the administration for razing the building which was constructed by the hardship and toil of the people. "It could have been used in the welfare of the common people. Tourists could have taken temporary shelter here during their visit to the deer sanctuary," the Baba told media persons.
Notably, Bana Baba alias Kalki Baba alias Banambara Moharana had initially built his ashram on 10 acres of forestland back in 1999. Later, the periphery of the hermitage was extended to cover 19.60 acre of forestland and 30 decimals of revenue land as per a finding of the Revenue Department.
Even though the ashram was evicted on September 5, 2015 following media reports about illegal possession of land and the Forest Department established a section office in the building, the Baba’s devotees reoccupied the land and constructed a building again in May this year.