Sambalpur, May 24: The Sambalpur district administration today launched a demolition drive against illegal religious structures along the national highway.

The administration began the drive from Paanch Gachhia and demolished a religious structure there.

However, they had to face minor resistance when they started demolishing another structure at Remed.

Members of the temple committee and Bajrang Dal opposed the drive and demanded some more time for shifting the temple belongings from there.

Officials from the administration and police had a discussion with the agitators for around two hours.

However, nothing fruitful came out of the discussion and the administration had to stop the demolition drive midway.

“We don’t oppose the demolition. But we were not aware of the drive today. The temple authorities were not served a notice about the drive.

“Now, the administration has agreed to give us some time for shifting. After the belongings of the temple are shifted, the administration will demolish the structure,” said Sudhir Bohidar, an activist.

A devotee, who was present at the spot, said: “Structures obstructing the smooth flow of traffic on the highways should be razed. They hamper the movement of traffic.

“But the government should also think of providing alternative land for the shrines that they plan to demolish during the drive.”

Sub divisional police officer P.K. Mohapatra said: “Five platoons of police personnel have been engaged to check any untoward incident during the drive.”

The drive is being carried out according to a Supreme Court directive.

Forty-one unauthorised religious structures have been identified and will be demolished in phases.

In the first phase, 15 unauthorised religious structures at Ainthapali, Bareipali, Remed and Ring Road area will be removed.