Residents of Salempur, a village in the Asmoli police circle of Sambhal district, took pre-emptive action on Saturday to dismantle an unauthorised mosque ahead of a scheduled government demolition. The community removed gates, doors, windows and other fixtures and began breaking down portions of the masonry to reduce potential loss and disorder during the official operation.
Sambhal illegal mosque removal drives community-led action
Local revenue records indicate the concrete structure stood on a patch of gram sabha land recorded under Gata number 641, covering approximately 439 square metres. The construction had been the subject of a long-running dispute. A revenue team led by the naib tahsildar, Bablu Kumar, inspected the site on 28 December and found the building to be unauthorised. An eviction order was later issued against the owner, identified as Haji Shamim, and a penalty of Rs 8.78 lakh was levied for encroaching on government land.
The tahsildar of Sambhal, Dhirendra Singh, said the matter originated from a 2018 report by the local lekhpal and was followed up through due process in the tahsildar court. He confirmed that the authorities had established the construction as illegal after considering all documents and evidence and that action was being taken in accordance with the law.
Community members began removing the structure a day before the planned demolition, taking care to salvage metal gates, wooden doors and other valuable items. Those involved said the move was intended to minimise financial loss and avoid confrontation during the enforcement action. Officials have made it clear, however, that the scheduled programme will proceed. Two municipal executive officers have been directed to be present with bulldozers and tractor-trailers on the day of demolition to oversee the operation.
The decision to act ahead of the authorities reflects a pragmatic choice by villagers to limit damage. Local leaders described the initiative as a demonstration of civic responsibility and said it would help the administration carry out its duties with less risk to public safety and property. Police and revenue staff are expected to monitor the site during the official removal to ensure the process remains peaceful and orderly.
Observers noted that while the episode centres on a local land dispute, the authorities’ insistence on following statutory procedure illustrates the administrative processes that apply to unauthorised constructions on government land. The penalty and eviction order were issued following established revenue protocols, and the administration has reiterated that decisions are based on documentary records.
As the demolition date approaches, officials and residents alike have expressed a desire for the operation to be completed without incident. The administration’s stated plan to bring machinery and officials to the site aims to ensure the process is efficient and that any remaining materials are removed safely. The unfolding events in Salempur highlight the intersection of local governance, land records and community response in resolving disputes over unauthorised construction.
Key Takeaways:
- Residents in Salempur, Sambhal, began dismantling an unauthorised mosque to limit damage before a planned government demolition.
- Revenue records show the structure stood on 439 sq metres of gram sabha land; a fine of Rs 8.78 lakh was imposed following verification.
- Administration confirmed the demolition schedule will proceed and will deploy machinery and officials on the day.
