A bulldozer action is reportedly carried out on the 180 year old Noori Jama Masjid in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. The alleged illegal portion of the mosque was razed down during this operation. The Public Works Department (PWD) had earlier issued a notice during road construction and the mosque committee reportedly reached the High Court and a hearing was scheduled for December 13, however, on Tuesday, a joint team from the district administration and PWD removed the alleged illegal construction by the Noori Masjid Management Committee in Lalouli town.
The Noori Jama Masjid Committe Secretary Syed Noori alleged that the demolition violated the pending writ filed against the notice in Allahabad High Court
Authorities assert that the mosque falls under unauthorized construction. “The action is in accordance with regulations to address encroachments obstructing public infrastructure,” said a district official.
Following the demolition of illegal structures, the district administration announced that the Public Works Department (PWD) is clearing encroachments along the Bahraich-Banda Road (SH-13) in Fatehpur district as part of a road widening initiative.
The demolition was carried out in the presence of ADM Avinash Tripathi and ASP Vijay Shankar Misra, with deployment of police, including PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) and RAF (Rapid Action Force), to ensure law and order in the area.
The Public Works Department (PWD) had issued a notice on August 17 concerning the illegal construction by the Noori Masjid Management Committee along the road in Lalouli town. On September 24, the PWD had initiated an operation to remove the illegal structures.