In a decisive operation, the district administration of Haridwar demolished an unauthorised mazar allegedly constructed on government land in the Gadmipur-Rajpur area, near Bahadrabad. The land was reportedly earmarked for the resettlement of people displaced by the Tehri Dam project.
The operation, led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ajay Veer Singh, was carried out with heavy police presence and machinery. The area was cordoned off early in the morning to ensure the smooth removal of the illegal structure. Nodal Officer for the district’s anti-encroachment drive, Manish Singh, confirmed that the construction of the mazar was unauthorized, and no official permission had been granted for its establishment.
Officials cited Supreme Court guidelines, which mandate prior approval from the District Magistrate for any new religious structures built after 2016. According to Singh, multiple notices had been served to the individuals responsible for the construction, but they failed to present legal documents proving ownership or permission for the land and structure.
The demolition followed numerous complaints lodged by local villagers through the Chief Minister’s grievance portal, raising concerns about encroachments on public land. In addition to the mazar, a significant portion of the land had been illegally occupied, with permanent structures built without authorization.
The entire operation was completed within two hours, with the police maintaining restricted access to the area to prevent any disruptions. The district administration emphasised that the anti-encroachment drive would continue, ensuring that public land is reclaimed and used for its designated purposes.
Local residents expressed relief after the administration’s prompt action, as the issue of illegal encroachments had long been a point of contention in the area.
Manish Singh reiterated the district administration’s commitment to upholding the law and preventing further illegal encroachments on government land. He warned that any such attempts in the future would face strict legal consequences.
