By Muslim Mirror Network
The administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur District carried out a bulldozer operation at the Miya Sarai intersection on Monday. The drive resulted in the demolition of several shops and a decades-old mazar.
The action taken in heavy police presence was ordered by District Magistrate Abhishek Anand. During the drive, the Tehsildar of Mahmudabad was also present. The police cordoned off the area ensuring that no protests are organised.
The officials stated that the structure and the shops were built on government land which is worth two crore rupees.
ADM Nitish Kumar Singh remarked, “This move was crucial to remove illegal encroachments that were standing for decades. Government land cannot be used illegally.”
The demolition has triggered worry and fear in the Muslim community. Locals expressed that the action was not needed. The shopkeepers who lost their shops told reporters that they are uncertain of the future as their source of income is gone.
Several others said that the religious structures should be dealt with consciousness as they hold spiritual value. One of the locals said, “The government should have dealt with the issue in an efficient manner instead of taking such a step.”
Activists on social media pointed at similar swift actions happening across India when it comes to religious structures of Muslim community. They highlighted the government is swift in demolishing sites without case proceedings.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.
