Uttar Pradesh authorities demolished at least 20 mosques and madrasas located within a 15-km radius of the India-Nepal border.
In a press statement released on Sunday, the state government announced that hundreds of encroachments were cleared in the border areas of Bahraich, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Lakhimpur Kheri districts, in accordance with Section 67 of the Revenue Code.
In Shravasti district, action was taken against 17 “unrecognized” madrasas, 10 in Bhinga tehsil and seven in Jamunha tehsil, the Indian Express reported.
“As per the directives of the government, action is being taken against illegally operated and unrecognized madrasas in the district. They were shut down due to the failure to present any valid documents regarding recognition,” Shravasti District Magistrate wrote on X.
In Naugarh tehsil of Siddharthnagar district, five structures, including a mosque and a madrasa, built on government land, were demolished.
Additionally, “illegal constructions” were identified at six locations in the Shohratgarh tehsil of the district, according to the government’s statement.
In Palia tehsil of Lakhimpur Kheri district, an “illegally constructed” mosque at Krishna Nagar Colony was demolished.
In Nanpara tehsil of Bahraich, 227 encroachments were identified near the India-Nepal border. While 63 encroachments were cleared earlier, 26 more were removed between April 25 and 27, bringing the total to 89.
However, officials stated that no religious or educational structures were found on these encroached sites.
In Maharajganj district, encroachments were identified in Farenda, Nautanwa, and Nichlaul tehsils.
While one case remains pending in court, eviction and demolition proceedings are currently underway for the remaining cases, said the statement.
In Balrampur district, seven cases of encroachments on government land were reported, with five in Balrampur tehsil and two in Tulsipur tehsil. While two encroachers voluntarily vacated the land, eviction proceedings were underway for the others, according to officials.
