AGRA, Aug. 22 -- A major dispute has erupted between the Aligarh Nagar Nigam (ANN) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) over a 3.86-hectare parcel of land valued at approximately Rs.500 crore. The municipal body took physical possession of the plot on Thursday, prompting AMU authorities to petition the district magistrate for intervention. The contested 38,600-square-metre site currently houses AMU's Riding Club and other sports facilities. Tensions escalated after civic officials, backed by local police and district administrative personnel, demarcated the boundary and erected ownership boards. AMU officials condemned the move as uncalled for, asserting that the land was acquired and transferred to the university in 1925 by the Governor of the United Provinces. The university claimed it holds continuous title and possession records spanning nearly a century. Speaking on Friday, Aligarh district magistrate Avinash Kumar acknowledged the dual claims from both public bodies and ordered a status quo pending formal judicial review. "The proctor and property officer of AMU met me and presented historical revenue records," DM Kumar said. "Since AMU had previously filed an application for record correction in the SDM Court, both parties will be served formal notices to present their evidence. No further structural or operational changes will be permitted on the land until the court determines ownership." Municipal commissioner Prem Prakash Meena defended the municipal action, stating the land is recorded under Nagar Nigam ownership in revenue logs and is earmarked for public utility projects, including a convention center and sports complex. In response, AMU vice-chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon and Proctor Prof Mohd Naved Khan alleged that revenue records were manipulated in the early 1990s. They stressed that central university property allocated for educational purposes cannot be unilaterally claimed by local civic bodies....