The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has launched an aggressive anti-encroachment campaign along the sensitive India-Nepal border, targeting illegal constructions—including religious structures like mosques and madrasas unauthorised private buildings, and criminal encroachments on government land.
According to official statements and reports, more than 250 illegal constructions have already been demolished across multiple districts, including Bahraich, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Lakhimpur Kheri all located within a 10–15 km radius of the international border.
The campaign was conducted invoking Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, empowering the administration to remove illegal occupations swiftly, without getting entangled in prolonged litigations.
District-by-District Breakdown
Bahraich District
- In Nanpara tehsil alone, officials identified 227 illegal encroachments.
- Action has been taken against 89 encroachers already.
- Authorities confirmed that, while no mosques or madrasas were involved in these cases, the clearing of illegally occupied government land was critical to restoring public resources.
Shravasti District
The most notable actions took place here.
- 119 illegal constructions were identified and addressed.
- 17 unrecognised madrasas were dismantled — 10 located in Bhinga tehsil and 7 in Jamunha tehsil.
- These madrasas were functioning without official recognition and were built illegally on government or disputed land, raising serious security and administrative concerns.
Siddharthnagar District
- In Naugarh tehsil, five structures, including a mosque and a madrasa, constructed illegally on government land, were demolished.
- An additional six illegal structures were flagged for action in Shohratgarh tehsil.
Maharajganj District
- Illegal encroachments were found across Farenda, Nautanwa, and Nichlaul tehsils.
- 19 structures were targeted for demolition; one case is pending before the court, while action continues against others.
Lakhimpur Kheri District
- In Palia tehsil, an illegally constructed mosque at Krishna Nagar Colony was demolished.
- Officials revealed that prayers had already been conducted at the illegal structure before action was taken, underlining the sensitive nature of the operation.
Balrampur District
- Seven encroachments were identified — five in Balrampur tehsil and two in Tulsipur tehsil.
- Two occupants vacated voluntarily after administrative notices, while proceedings continue against the remaining five.
Unlike previous limited encroachment drives, this campaign specifically addressed unrecognised madrasas and unauthorised religious structures, marking a significant shift in Uttar Pradesh’s internal security approach. Officials clarified that no discrimination was intended based on religion; the focus was strictly on illegality and security concerns in a highly sensitive border region.
The fact that illegal religious institutions had mushroomed without any regulatory oversight near the porous Nepal border was seen as a major red flag by security agencies.
The drive gained additional urgency after Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Muslim Waqf, and Haj, Danish Azad Ansari, reiterated the pressing need for reforms in Waqf property regulations.
He stressed that the Waqf Amendment Bill was “the need of the hour” to curb the large-scale illegal occupation of government and private lands under the garb of religious endowments.
Land encroachment by institutions operating without scrutiny had, according to the government, reached alarming levels, particularly in border districts where national security concerns are paramount.
The border clearance operation is part of a statewide anti-encroachment drive:
- In Ghaziabad’s Vijaynagar area, police cleared illegal settlements from Army-owned land after receiving official complaints from military authorities.
- In Fatehpur district, a high-profile demolition took place when a criminal, having over a dozen criminal cases registered against him, saw his illegal construction razed to the ground in March.
Officials have made it clear: whether it is sensitive border regions, Army land, or state property elsewhere, the Yogi government is committed to a zero-tolerance policy against illegal encroachments.
Why the Indo-Nepal Border?
Security agencies have long flagged concerns about unregulated settlements near the India-Nepal border, given its open and highly porous nature. These regions have long been vulnerable to cross-border smuggling, human trafficking, and potential infiltration activities.
