Illegal mosque demolished with hammers at midnight… Muslim community takes bold action before bulldozer action in Sambhal

Sambhal: The administration was scheduled to demolish the illegal mosque in Salempur Salar, also known as Hajipur village, in Sambhal district on January 4, 2026. However, members of the mosque committee began demolishing the 439-square-meter Medina Mosque after midnight, even before the administration’s bulldozer action.

A team of 31 revenue officials led by Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh and a heavy police force were scheduled to arrive at the scene at 10 a.m., but the structure was reduced to rubble before that time. This action was taken after legal proceedings since 2018 and confirmation of illegal occupation of government land.

Sledge hammers started at midnight
The administration had set January 4 as the date for removing the illegal encroachment. The situation was so alarming that even before the action was taken, members of the mosque committee and the Muslim community took up hammers and began demolishing the illegal construction. The process, which began at 12 a.m. last night, was completed by morning, and the entire mosque was reduced to a pile of rubble. The Tehsildar said that if people are removing the encroachment themselves, it’s a good thing.

Allegations of illegal occupation of government land
This entire case is from the Echodha Kamboh police station area. According to Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh, Mutawalli Haji Shamim was accused of illegally occupying 439 square meters of government land and building a mosque. Following a report filed on June 14, 2018, the hearing in the Tehsildar Court lasted for years. After a thorough examination of the evidence, the court declared the land government land and ordered the eviction of the Mutawalli.

The administration was deployed with heavy force and bulldozers.
The administration had made extensive preparations to remove the illegal construction. Police from several police stations, PAC and RAF companies, and a team of accountants and law officers were deployed at the scene. Three bulldozers were also kept ready. According to the Tehsildar, this strictness of the administration disheartened the encroachers and they demolished the illegal structures themselves before the bulldozers could be deployed.