Authorities carried out a coordinated anti-encroachment operation on Sunday in Sambhal district, dismantling two unauthorised mosques and a madrasa amid heightened security and administrative oversight. Officials said the action followed verification of land records and prior notices, framing the move as part of a broader effort to clear illegal constructions on public land.The first action unfolded in Hajipur village under the jurisdiction of Asmoli police station, where residents themselves had already taken down a structure overnight using hand tools before the administration reached the site. Local officials confirmed that the demolition by villagers occurred after repeated warnings that the building lacked statutory approvals and stood on disputed land.
Administrative teams, supported by police personnel, subsequently assessed the site to ensure the removal complied with safety norms and to prevent any flare-ups. Officers on the ground said the area had been cordoned off to maintain order, with additional forces deployed as a precaution. No injuries were reported, and traffic diversions were put in place briefly to facilitate the operation.
Later in the day, a second mosque and an adjoining madrasa elsewhere in the district were dismantled by the authorities using heavy machinery. Senior district officials said these structures had been identified during a survey of encroachments and were found to be in violation of land-use regulations. Notices had been issued earlier, they said, and the occupants were given time to respond or regularise the constructions through lawful channels.
The administration maintained that the drive was religion-neutral and based solely on legal compliance. “Action is taken against any unauthorised structure, irrespective of its nature,” an official said, adding that the process involved scrutiny of revenue records, municipal permissions and court directions where applicable. The official emphasised that due process had been followed and that law-and-order considerations guided the timing and manner of the demolitions.
Community reactions were mixed. Some residents welcomed the move, arguing that unauthorised constructions strained civic infrastructure and set a poor precedent. Others expressed concern over the pace and optics of enforcement, calling for greater transparency and dialogue to avoid misunderstandings. Local leaders urged calm and appealed for grievances to be addressed through legal remedies.
Legal experts note that such drives typically hinge on documentation and procedural safeguards. Courts have repeatedly underlined that while governments may remove encroachments, they must ensure adequate notice, opportunity to be heard, and proportionate use of force. Officials involved in Sunday’s operation said videography and written records were maintained to document compliance with these requirements.
The demolitions come amid intensified monitoring of land encroachments across the region, with district administrations directed to update inventories of public land and take corrective steps. Officials said surveys using satellite imagery and on-ground verification have helped identify violations, while inter-departmental coordination has been strengthened to prevent re-encroachment.