By Mohammad Qasim +1 more
In Rajasthan’s Jaipur, tensions remain high after a 45-year-old mosque located in the Malviya Nagar area was demolished by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) in the presence of heavy police deployment.
Maktoob has learnt that the demolition was carried out as part of a “grand plan” that included widening the road on which the mosque was located.
The action is part of a “long-pending” road-widening project on Nandpuri Road, where authorities are seeking to expand a 1.5-km stretch running parallel to the railway line from its current width of around 25–30 feet to its sanctioned width of 80 feet.
On Monday morning, with more than 3,000 police personnel deployed in the area, Jaipur’s Noorani Mosque was demolished. The mosque, built in 1981, was among several religious structures marked for removal, including a mazar, two small temples and a satsang building.
Meanwhile, internet services were suspended on Sunday itself as reports of the demolition spread through the area.
The Jaipur district administration said internet services were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and inflammatory content on social media that could disrupt law and order during the drive.
‘No time given’
Officials said the structures had been obstructing the widening project for years and that notices had been issued well in advance. The owners were also given time to remove the constructions voluntarily before authorities initiated direct action.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
