The district administration in Sambhal has intensified its drive against illegal encroachments, shifting from demolition to imposing heavy financial penalties. This comes after a series of demolition drives that saw the razing of at least 17 mosques and over a thousand other structures.
Hefty Fines for Years of Encroachment
On Thursday, Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh announced penalties totalling more than Rs 75 lakh for six properties, which include a mosque and a madrassa, in the Asmoli area. This marks a significant escalation in the administration's strategy to reclaim government and pond land.
Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya explained the rationale to TOI, stating, "Measures taken to impose the penalty will continue. It is being imposed for years of encroachment and losses to the ecological system." He highlighted the critical impact on water resources, noting that the water table in affected blocks had been alarmingly depleted. "After reviving these water bodies, we're seeing a positive change," DM Pensiya added.
Breakdown of Penalties and Affected Parties
The financial penalties have targeted both committees and individuals. Notable fines include:
- Rs 9 lakh imposed on the Madina Mosque management.
- A staggering Rs 51 lakh charged against a panel for operating an illegal madrassa.
- The Gosul Barra Mosque committee in Raya Buzurg fined Rs 6 lakh for encroaching on pond land.
- A marriage hall operator facing a penalty of Rs 6.4 lakh.
- Individuals with private houses on protected land paying over Rs 1 lakh each.
Authorities have issued a stern warning that failure to pay the fines within the stipulated time will result in the issuance of recovery certificates, which could lead to property seizure or even imprisonment. The current action is concentrated mainly in Salempur Salar (Hajipur) and Raya Buzurg villages.
A Year of Demolition and Allegations of Vendetta
According to documents accessed by TOI, the district administration has demolished over 1,000 structures since the violence of November 24. The demolished structures included:
- 17 mosques
- 12 mazars
- 7 graveyards
- 2 madrassas
However, those facing the penalties and demolition have termed the actions as "political vendetta." A resident, whose house was razed last year, expressed helplessness, saying, "First, they came and destroyed our houses of worship, madrassas and homes. This is despite the fact that we regularly paid taxes to civic authorities. Not only did they recover the cost of demolition from us, now they want hefty penalties as well. And we are not even in a position to protest."
The administration maintains that the crackdown is solely about reclaiming public land and restoring the ecological balance, particularly by reviving dozens of ponds that had been lost to construction.
