Kolkata: BJP MLA Rekha Patra, who represents Hingalganj in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, has become embroiled in a land dispute with a neighbour near her ancestral home in Sandeshkhali, with the opposing family alleging that the legislator used her influence to remove them from the disputed property.

The farmer family has also alleged that Patra attempted to act in violation of a court direction concerning the land.

The allegations come amid a long-running legal dispute between Patra’s family and their neighbour, Subhash Naskar, over around nine bighas of land.

A video purportedly showing an altercation during the dispute has surfaced on social media. The video could not be independently verified.

According to local sources, Patra reached the disputed site along with police personnel and her security guards.

The visit reportedly led to a confrontation between the two sides after an argument over the cultivation of the land.

The situation allegedly escalated into a scuffle, following which Patra’s security personnel intervened.

Police from the Sandeshkhali police station subsequently reached the spot after receiving information about the incident.

Naskar’s family has claimed that they are cultivating the disputed land in accordance with directions issued by the court. The family has also said that it possesses documents supporting its claim over the property.

The land dispute has reportedly been pending for some time, with both sides having approached the court over the ownership and use of the property.

Patra has so far declined to comment on the allegations or the reported confrontation. The controversy assumes significance given Patra’s political background.

She emerged as a prominent face of the Sandeshkhali protests and had earlier raised allegations of sexual harassment and land grabbing against local Trinamool Congress leaders.

The allegations made by the farmer family against Patra have not been independently established. Further details regarding the court proceedings and the legal status of the disputed land are awaited.