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In a major anti-encroachment drive, the Sitapur district administration in Uttar Pradesh carried out a pre-dawn operation to demolish a 12-year-old mosque allegedly built on illegal government land. The action, which took place in the Laharpur area early Monday morning, comes shortly after a similar drive where a temple was removed to clear public land.
The Pre-Dawn Operation Guided by the local authorities and equipped with three bulldozers, the demolition team reached the site in Naigaon Behati village around 3:00 AM. To ensure law and order, a massive force of nearly 500 police personnel and PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) was deployed. The area was cordoned off, and public movement was restricted until the structure was completely razed.
The Legal Dispute: Pond and Cemetery Land According to Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Nitish Kumar, the structure was built illegally on land designated for a pond and a cemetery. The Gram Sabha had filed a complaint regarding this encroachment years ago. Following a lengthy legal battle, a tehsil court declared the construction illegal in January 2026 and ordered an immediate eviction.
Notices Ignored The administration clarified that multiple notices had been served to the concerned parties under Section 67 of the UP Revenue Code. Despite the court order and the expiration of the deadline to voluntarily vacate the premises, the structure remained, prompting the state to take direct "Bulldozer Action."
Rising "Zero Tolerance" Policy This move reflects the Uttar Pradesh government’s ongoing "Zero Tolerance" policy against illegal encroachments on public property. While the action sparked local tension, officials stated that the drive was strictly legal and aimed at restoring government land for its original purpose.
Read More: UP Bulldozer Action: 12-Year-Old Illegal Mosque Demolished in Sitapur Amid Heavy Security
