UP Government Cracks Down On Encroachments Along India-Nepal Border, Demolishes At Least 20 Mosques And Madrasas

In a sweeping anti-encroachment campaign, the Uttar Pradesh government has demolished at least 20 mosques and madrasas located within a 15 km radius of the India-Nepal border, Indian Express reported.

According to a government statement, hundreds of illegal constructions were removed across Bahraich, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Lakhimpur Kheri districts under Section 67 of the Revenue Code.

In Shravasti, action was taken against 17 unrecognised madrasas. 10 in Bhinga tehsil and seven in Jamunha tehsil.

In Siddharthnagar's Naugarh tehsil, five structures, including a mosque and a madrasa, constructed on government land, were removed, while six more illegal structures were identified in Shohratgarh tehsil.

In Lakhimpur Kheri’s Palia tehsil, a mosque being illegally constructed at Krishna Nagar Colony was demolished, officials said, noting that prayers had been conducted at the site prior to its removal.

Meanwhile, Bahraich's Nanpara tehsil identified 227 cases of encroachment. Of these, 89 have now been removed, although no religious or educational structures were found among them, according to officials.

In Maharajganj district, encroachments were found across Farenda, Nautanwa, and Nichlaul tehsils. While one case remains pending in court, eviction and demolition operations are ongoing elsewhere.

Similarly, in Balrampur district, seven cases of encroachment were recorded — five in Balrampur tehsil and two in Tulsipur tehsil. Two illegal occupants vacated the land voluntarily, while eviction proceedings are underway against the others.

Earlier this month, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Muslim Waqf and Haj, Danish Azad Ansari, underlined the urgency of ending alleged land encroachments, stating that the Waqf Amendment Bill was the need of the hour.

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