GOALPARA, Sept 1 � Property worth lakhs of rupees was destroyed after several houses and shops were burnt down by the public near Jama Masjid in the heart of Krishnai town around 11.30 am today. Twenty-four families were affected.
It may be mentioned here that the dispute started a few months back when the masjid committee claimed that these families had encroached on a part of the masjid�s land. During a meeting today at the Jama Masjid, an excited crowd came out and tried to clear the encroachment by setting the houses and the shops on fire.
But contrary to the claims by the masjid authorities, the plot is a government land, according to official sources.