Sambhal (UP), February 12 The district administration demolished an allegedly illegal madrasa constructed on public land in the Naroli area here on Thursday, officials said.
The demolition took place in Mohalla Banjari Kuan, under the Chandausi tehsil, where the Darul Uloom madrasa was allegedly built on a plot of land recorded as a manure pit and a public pathway.
Police from five police stations, along with the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), were deployed to maintain law and order during the demolition drive.
Chandausi Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashutosh Tiwari said the action followed encroachments on land parcels recorded as a manure pit and road land in revenue records.
"Notices were issued twice, and adequate time was given to the encroachers. Today, proceedings are being carried out against the Darul Uloom madrasa," Tiwari said.
According to officials, the alleged encroachment covered 192 and 165 square metres on the two plots, while the madrasa structure covered about 225 square metres.
Besides the madrasa, seven to eight houses are also constructed on the disputed land, they said.
Naroli Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Bittan Malik, however, claimed that no prior information or notice was received regarding the demolition.
"We did not receive any notice. This is a religious institution," Malik told reporters.
Further action would be taken in accordance with the law against other illegal constructions on the land, the officials said.