In Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, authorities on Thursday demolished a mosque in Rayee Buzurg village, claiming it was illegally constructed on government land designated for a pond. The demolition had been under consideration for nearly a year and was executed amidst heavy security, effectively turning the area into a fortified police zone.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, with local officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and City Magistrate, overseeing the operation. Additionally, a nearby marriage hall known as Janta is also scheduled for demolition. Officials from the Revenue Department had previously inspected the site and issued a notice stating that the mosque constituted an encroachment.
In light of recent tensions, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Badaun have been placed on heightened alert following protests and a police crackdown in Bareilly over “I Love Muhammad” posters. More than 81 individuals have been arrested in relation to the clashes, prompting enhanced security measures. Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units have been deployed, while drones are monitoring sensitive areas to prevent further escalation.
District officials in Sambhal emphasized that the demolition is part of a broader initiative against illegal constructions and urged local residents to maintain peace. However, residents contest the authorities’ claims, asserting that the mosque has been in existence for nearly a decade.
Land Revenue Officer Dharmendra Kumar stated, “This is a case of encroachment on a pond and reserved land. The court had passed an eviction order. The mosque has been vacated. On the request of the mosque committee, the DM has given them time, and they will remove the mosque themselves.”
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K. K. Bishnoi affirmed, “The construction was done illegally. We had given the masjid committee a notice one month ago, but they took no cognizance.” He added, “We have deployed more police force to avoid any untoward incident. A masjid and attached madrasa were demolished along with a marriage hall. We have identified more such properties that will be demolished in due course.”
Tags: Sambhal, mosque demolition, marriage hall, heavy security, local news
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