The drive began early Tuesday with JCB machines used to demolish the encroachment. Senior officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), were present at the site, overseeing the operation. Security forces monitored every lane and corner of the village before allowing the removal work to proceed.
The action followed a decision by the Waqf Board on December 5, after hearing claims from the local Muslim community asserting ownership of the land. Upon examining documents, the Board ruled that the area was a populated village and not Waqf property, effectively siding with the Gram Panchayat.
The Gram Panchayat had previously declared the Dargah structure illegal, accusing the Waqf Committee of wrongly claiming rights over the entire village land. After the Board’s ruling, the Panchayat requested administrative intervention to reclaim possession of the land.
Despite the ruling, members of the Muslim community gathered at the site to protest the removal. They raised objections to the demolition, asserting that the Dargah held religious significance. Police personnel maintained order throughout the operation, ensuring that the demolition proceeded without incident.
Officials from the revenue department prepared and implemented the action plan, citing the sensitive nature of the case. The administration has emphasized that the removal followed legal procedures and was carried out only after the Waqf Board’s decision.
The operation underscores ongoing tensions in rural areas over land ownership and encroachment issues, highlighting the need for strict adherence to legal frameworks and administrative directives while balancing community sentiments.
