Varanasi’s Dalmandi witnessed the start of the process of demolition of five mosques today in the early hours of the day on Wednesday with as many as 200 laborers engaged in the exercise using a hammer. Around 1,860 security personnel have been deployed, which included seven companies of the PAC, one battalion of the CRPF, one battalion of the RRF, and local personnel.
The action, which is a part of the Dalmandi road-widening project, makes 6 mosques fall within the project, out of which five have given the consent to the demolition, the FoEJ Media learned. These mosques include Nisaran Mosque, Rangile Shah Mosque, Ali Raza Mosque, Sangmarmar Mosque, and Masjid Mirza Karimullah Beg. Work resumed after Muharram with tight security in the area.
Uttar Pradesh: ACP Atul Anjan Tripathi says, “In Dalmandi, demolition work has once again resumed today, and the action is currently ongoing…”
Along with the mosque, 181 houses are also to be demolished, with 80 having been completely razed down. To prevent the escalation of tensions in the area, police have been conducting continuous patrols.
Furthermore, all roads that lead towards Daalmandi have been sealed with tin barricades, and media access to entry has also been restricted, citing security reasons. Meanwhile, the administration said that the demolition is imperative for the implementation of the Daalmandi road-widening project. The administration has highlighted that the action is carried out in accordance with the law. Officials have also assured that the rehabilitation measures will be conducted and those who were affected will receive appropriate compensation.
