India: Sambhal Administration Intensifies Crackdown on Encroachments Near Shahi Jama Masjid

Following violent clashes that resulted in four fatalities over a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, the district administration has initiated a campaign against encroachments and illegal electricity theft in the vicinity of the historic mosque, Muslim Mirror reported yesterday.

The Uttar Pradesh government has escalated its efforts to remove encroachments around the Shahi Jama Masjid, aiming to restore the area’s historical and architectural integrity while ensuring public safety and convenience.

On Sunday morning, the administration commenced the removal of encroachments. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra, the primary goal is to clear the drains outside homes and shops in the area under the Nakhasa police station.

In recent weeks, district authorities have deployed a mix of police forces, municipal workers, and heavy machinery to demolish illegal structures and clear the area. This operation has included the removal of street vendors, temporary shops, and other unauthorized constructions that had gradually occupied public land.

Inspector Yogesh Shukla reported discovering 25 domestic gas cylinders at the residence of Haji Rabban. Although the family claimed the cylinders were intended for a wedding, they could not provide the required documentation. Consequently, two filled cylinders and the rest empty were confiscated, and an FIR will be filed.

It is worth mentioning that some experts believe the government is using a disguise of legal means to humiliate and torture Muslims. The claim fits the evident pattern of persecution of and discrimination against Muslims driven by the Hindutva agenda and the extremist nationalist ideology.