The Dorbar Shnong of Urkaliar was caught unawares today when it was discovered that organisers of a Chhath Puja function were busy setting up a pandal and had even brought an earth mover (JCB) to dig up a section of river without seeking any permission from the local body.
Members of the dorbar shnong and a pressure group inspected the area and found that a Chhath Puja committee had begun to erect a pandal and was digging up the river for the festival.
The Rangbah Shnong of Urkaliar, Samborlang Diengdoh, said that the puja committee did not approach the dorbar for permission.
Diengdoh said that the area is disputed between civilian and army authorities but he had taken permission from the district administration for the upkeep of a ground there until the case is solved.
Several Christian denominations and the Seng Khasi used to give him prior intimation if they wanted to host any activities there but this was not the case with the Chhath Puja organisers, he said.
When contacted, the Chhath Puja committee has taken responsibility for failing to inform the dorbar shnong. Committee secretary Dilip Rai said that he was responsible for the delay in taking permission from the Urkaliar dorbar shnong.
