GOLAGHAT: A prolonged tussle between two panels in the Aathkhelia Namghar has resulted in the indefinite closure of the prominent religious site in Golaghat district of Assam on Monday.
The authorities have restricted the entry of the visitors to the Namghar premises as the conflict between the steering committee and management committee has reached the court over an alleged financial scam.
The steering committee has alleged a major financial scam of Rs 60 lakh blaming it all on the management committee.The management committee has, in turn, accused the steering committee of mishandling a Rs 2 crore fund meant to renovate the historic Neo Vaishnavite site.
Even after the blame-game reached the court, an amicable solution has eluded the two factions time and again. Instead, this has further complicated the issue.
Policemen have been guarding the gate of the Namghar fearing any violent protest. But there is no report of any clash over the ongoing deadlock.
According to allegations, the management committee has remained unchanged since 2016.A new management committee was scheduled to assume charge on Monday. But it was stopped after the steering committee questioned its formation.
The local residents called it disappointing and hoped that the deadlock would be over soon. The local businessmen have to bear the brunt of the impasse. Talking to reporters, they said that if this disrupting chapter is allowed to go un-checked, this will send a bad message for the visitors from the state and outside. As on date, as many as 200 families are directly or indirectly engaged with the religious spot.
Located at a distance of 18 KM from Golaghat town, the historic pilgrimage site welcomes thousands of visitors during the Assamese calendar month of 'Bhado', from mid August to mid September, much to the delight of the local people. But the simmering tussle between the two committees has reached an all time low as soon as ideal month to visit the site was over.
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