Illegal five-storey building demolished in Dibrugarh’s Lohar Patty after fatal wall collapse

The district administration and municipal corporation on Tuesday launched a major demolition operation against an illegally constructed five-storey building in Lohar Patty, Dibrugarh, following public outrage and safety concerns.

The structure had been at the centre of controversy after a portion of its wall collapsed recently, killing a local resident, Salma Begum. The woman was washing utensils near her tubewell when bricks and part of the boundary wall from the under-construction building suddenly fell on her, leading to her death.

The building, barely 12–14 feet wide, had been illegally raised to five storeys, violating construction norms and prompting serious allegations against the municipal corporation for failing to act earlier. After the incident, authorities issued an order to demolish the unsafe structure.

However, despite the directive, the building’s owner, Yunus Khan, reportedly continued with the construction work, ignoring the notices served.

Acting on the matter, a large team from the district administration and the municipal corporation reached the spot today and began pulling down the structure from one side. The demolition drive is expected to continue until the entire illegal building is removed, ensuring safety for nearby residents.

Local residents have welcomed the action, stating that the structure posed a constant danger to the neighbourhood. Authorities have said further inquiry and action may follow regarding the violations involved.

Also Read: Following Uma Chetry’s footsteps: Three Bokakhat girls make Assam U-19 squad