Illegal structures on govt land demolished in Sambhal

Demolition of Illegal Structures in Sambhal District

On Sunday, officials removed two mosques and a madrasa built illegally on government land in the Asmoli area of Sambhal district. The operation took place under tight security, with senior officials present and drone surveillance monitoring the situation.

Local Demolition Efforts

In Hajipur village, locals demolished a mosque before the administration could act. Villagers worked overnight using hammers and chisels to raze the structure. The mosque occupied 1,339 square meters (about one and a half bighas) of land. When the administrative team arrived in the morning, they found the mosque already reduced to rubble. Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh stated that people voluntarily removed the illegal construction. The administration later cleared the debris.

Madrasa Demolition

The madrasa was located around 500 meters from the demolished mosque and occupied 1,500 square meters of land. Public announcements were made before the demolition. Three bulldozers were used to demolish the madrasa.

Officials Present

District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya, Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, and a heavy police force were present at the site during the demolitions.

Second Mosque Details

The other mosque was about 11 kilometers away in Raya Buzurg village, also under Asmoli police station jurisdiction. It was built on 1,500 square meters of government land without authorization. The mosque committee received a notice on October 2 but sought relief from the high court, which dismissed the petition. Following this, the administration proceeded with the demolition.

Illegal Activities and Penalties

The DM noted that the madrasa had encroached on 1,500 square meters of land. Instead of educational activities, commercial operations were being conducted. Shops had been constructed, and rent was collected from them. The tehsildar’s court issued demolition orders about one and a half months ago, but the madrasa committee moved the high court, which rejected the appeal. After the court’s decision, the madrasa committee received a 15-day notice, which expired on Sunday.

Distribution of Land Lease Deeds

Later, the DM and SP distributed land lease deeds (patta) to 20 selected beneficiaries on the reclaimed land. The DM mentioned that the mosque demolished by villagers had been illegally constructed around 25 years ago. A total fine of ₹58 lakh was imposed for the illegal encroachment, with ₹8.78 lakh specifically imposed on the mosque’s maulana (mutawalli).

Demolition Team Composition

A team for the demolition drive included one additional superintendent of police (ASP), two tehsildars, one circle officer (CO), six kanungos, and 24 lekhpals. SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi stated that the police and district administration received information months ago about the illegal mosque and madrasa in Salempur village. A four-month notice was issued to the concerned parties. Villagers demolished the mosque on Saturday night, but the madrasa remained, prompting the administration to act on Sunday.