Dhanbad: The iconic building at Bhagatdih in Jharia, which was built in 1951 by then king of Jharia estate late Kali Prasad Singh and until recently housed the RSP College, is gradually turning into a favourite haunt of hoodlums.

The college, also established in 1951, was shifted from its original address to a new campus in Belgarhia, 6km away, on September 7 last year owing to threat from the raging underground fire.

To add to the woes of the neglected edifice, the college authorities have begun to strip the building of its doors and windows for use on the Belgarhia campus. Reports of some of the old trees on the campus being felled and smuggled out, are also pouring in, leaving both local residents and college alumni annoyed.

Expressing disgust over the situation, Bappi Bauri, a social worker and an alumnus of the college, said, "We were astonished today (Thursday) to see the gates and windows missing from the new and old blocks of the college building when we arrived after local people informed us. We also found two large trees missing from the campus."

"We have written to the district forest officer about the stolen trees and he has assured that an enquiry would be launched," Bauri further said.

Local resident, Prasenjit Singh, said, "We noticed the wooden furniture being transported by the tippers since the last three or four days and also tried to enquire through the driver but he refused to divulge any detail."

Taking umbrage at the developments, Madhavi Singh, a member of the royal family of Jharia, who had demanded heritage status for the building at a programme at RSP College Jharia old building on January 1 this year, wondered, "How can the college administration alter the building and what purpose is going to be served by removing the doors and windows?"

"We will not allow any further alteration to the college building and have informed Jharia circle officer Kedar Nath Singh and deputy commissioner Anjaneyulu Dodde about the issue. They assured us to look into the issue," she said and added that they would also lodge a written complaint with the district administration in this regard on Wednesday.

Contacted, RSP College-Jharia professor in charge J.N. Singh explained, "Many of the benches and desks of the college were damaged while transporting them last year and we are facing a shortage of furniture here in Belgarhia. So we brought some doors and windows from the college to use their wood to repair the broken benches and desks."