TOBA TEK SINGH, Dec 23: Teku Park’s ownership dispute between its management and Pakistan Railways has reached the local civil judge’s court.

The park was constructed on a 56-kanal tract of railway land outside the station under the supervision of a former assistant commissioner. Thanks to the local traders and residents whose contributions, worth Rs3 million, made the construction of the park possible.

The park was built in memory of Sikh saint Tek Singh who had got a pond constructed on the spot and the drinking water for which he had to bring from Teku minor canal for passersby on the Toba-Chichawatni Road.

The construction of the park was proposed on the request of the Teku Cultural Organization. Adorned with aesthetic pleasures, it was the only recreational spot for women and children. The park committee had been entrusted with the income and expenditure while eight people had been employed its guards.

A beautiful hotel was built in the park by a private party. An agreement was signed between the committee and the railway officials that after four years the hotel would be the property of the former. The then railway master (member) and other officials from Lahore, including former divisional superintendent Abdul Ghaffar Khan, appreciated the use of railway land but now they have been trying to auction the park through newspaper advertisement for the last month.

The management committee filed an application with civil judge Suleman Baig who issued a stay order against the auctioning of the park land.

Before construction of the park, the tract was crowded with thick hedges and it was a haven for criminals. At least two dozen cases of dacoity were registered with the city police station during the past few years.

People have urged the Punjab governor to direct the railway authorities not to take over the park. They also urged the Teku Cultural Organization to include elected representatives of the union council concerned in the management committee to make the supervision of park transparent.