Sambhal Administration Demolishes Eidgah and Imambara in Anti-Encroachment Drive
In a significant anti-encroachment operation, the administration in Sambhal district demolished an eidgah and an imambara at Bicholi village on Thursday morning. Officials stated that both religious structures were illegally constructed on government-owned land, leading to their removal after due legal process.
Massive Demolition Operation Deploys Bulldozers and Police
The demolition drive commenced around 8 AM and continued until 2:30 PM, with four bulldozers actively engaged in dismantling the structures. A substantial police presence, including a company of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), was deployed at the site to maintain law and order and prevent any potential disturbances during the operation.
Structures Built on Designated Government Land
According to official reports, the eidgah occupied nearly seven bighas of land specifically designated as grazing land for public use. The imambara was constructed on a plot earmarked for a manure pit. Both parcels are classified as government property, and the encroachments were estimated to be approximately twelve years old.
Legal Proceedings and Public Notice Preceded Action
The action followed complaints from local villagers, prompting lekhpal Sparsh Gupta to file a case in the tehsildar court on January 18. District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia explained that a public notice was issued in newspapers on January 31, inviting claims or objections from concerned parties regarding the encroachments.
"No objections were received in response to the public notice," stated DM Pensia. "The encroachment was around 12 years old and the land — estimated to be worth about Rs 6.5 crore — will now be reclaimed for public use." He further emphasized that the costs incurred during the demolition would be recovered from those responsible for the illegal constructions.
Tensions Flare Briefly as Villagers Gather
Tensions briefly escalated as villagers assembled at the demolition site, expressing concerns and potential protest. However, police personnel effectively managed the situation and dispersed the crowd to ensure the operation proceeded without major incident.
Some residents alleged that they were not given adequate time to voluntarily remove the structures. "We were informed late at night that the demolition would take place in the morning," said Mohd Zuber, a local villager. "People had started removing parts of the structure themselves, but were stopped when officials arrived."
The administration's firm stance underscores ongoing efforts to reclaim government land from illegal encroachments across Uttar Pradesh, balancing legal enforcement with community sensitivities in such operations.
