**Sambhal Demolition Drive Leaves Villagers Devastated**
In Sambhal’s Raya Buzurg village, a major demolition drive on Thursday shook residents as a mosque and a marriage hall were razed by authorities. Both structures were reportedly built on what officials termed as pond land, prompting the bulldozer action.
The 30,000 sq ft marriage hall was demolished in a four-hour operation starting at 11:30 am. Meanwhile, villagers themselves began dismantling the adjacent 550 sq ft mosque after authorities granted them a four-day window to do so.
The drive was closely supervised by District Magistrate Rajendra Pansiya and SP Krishna Vishnoi, with the deployment of 200 police and PAC personnel. Additionally, drone surveillance was utilized to monitor the situation from above.
According to the administration, the mosque and marriage hall were constructed illegally about a decade ago by a local cleric named Minjar. However, the demolition has dealt a severe blow to the community.
Residents mourned the loss, emphasizing the importance of the marriage hall, which was built through community donations. “The hall was a place where poor families could celebrate weddings free of cost. Now where will our children marry?” expressed Atahar, a local villager. The grief was palpable, with many villagers refraining from cooking food at home in protest.
Another resident, Irfan, recalled the origins of the hall: “It was built after the pond dried up, with our small contributions. We made it for the community, not for profit.”
The demolition has also drawn political attention. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the operation on social media, accusing authorities of using bulldozers as a tool of injustice and ignoring Supreme Court guidelines.
Despite such criticisms, officials assert that due legal process was followed, including serving notices a month in advance.
For many residents of Raya Buzurg, the demolition represents more than just the destruction of buildings; it marks the loss of spaces integral to their community life and collective identity.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/sambhal-bulldozer-row-aimim-chief-asaduddin-owaisi-alleges-injustice-questions-demolition-after-supreme-court-guidelines