Kolkata: In a major win for community spirit, Behala residents have successfully reclaimed and restored the Roy Nagar Ground. It is a 18-cottah football ground that had been forcibly acquired by alleged land grabbers for over six years.The trouble began on Feb 20, 2020, when a self-proclaimed NGO named Banglar Bandhu—allegedly owned by Sujoy Bhadra, popular as ‘Kalighater Kaku’, seized the plot, said Nilanjana Rai, who became a victim of police brutality for protesting against its forcible occupation.Located on Roy Bahadur Road, near 14 number bus stop on Diamond Harbour Road, the ground has immense real-estate value.Since 1980, it had been home to the Morning Football Coaching Camp, operated by veteran coach Tapan Ghosh. “Suddenly, some people forcibly took over the land under police protection and banned all practice, claiming they had bought it,” said Anirban Ghosh, a former East Bengal junior player, who spearheaded the local opposition.The asset actually belongs to the Roys, a benevolent, erstwhile feudal family which has its stately home, Roy Bari, across the road. Known for championing Behala’s education and sports, the family confirmed to suspicious locals that no sale had occurred.During the occupation, football came to a standstill, and the ground became choked with wild vegetation. “Criminals built a shed in the corner, turning it into a den for illicit activities,” Tapan Ghosh claimed. Even Dol Utsav and Krishna naam-sankirtan celebrations, historically, hosted there during Holi, were banned by the occupiers.Refusing to back down, a determined group of locals launched a restoration drive to clear the miscreants and the jungle after the May 4 result showing change in guard in the governance. Today, the seven-a-side ground has finally been restored to its past glory.“We have started playing again and are dedicated to nurture local talent,” said Anirban Ghosh, who had played for HAL Bengaluru and BNR. The community has plans to set up floodlights on the historic ground, ensuring it can be used for football and yoga training for its residents.
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Behala residents reclaim playground
