Crackdown continues on illegal encroachments in Nepal border districts in UP

Lucknow : On the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the crackdown on illegal encroachments and unauthorised religious establishments continued on Saturday in districts bordering Nepal. A special campaign was carried out by the administration in several districts, including Pilibhit, Shravasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj.

In Maharajganj, 33 illegal religious sites and madrasas have been identified. Of these, 19 are madrasas—four have been cleared, action under Section 67(1) has been taken against 14, and one case is pending in the High Court.

Ten religious sites have also been targeted under the same section. Two out of four illegal shrines built on government land have been removed, while one is under Forest department notice and another faces action.

In Siddharthnagar, 21 encroachments were found within 10 km of the Nepal border, including four religious sites and 17 madrasas. One structure has been removed, and notices have been issued to 20 others.

In Balrampur, officials have marked 34 unauthorised religious structures and madrasas. Six have been cleared, 16 madrasas shut down, and 12 issued notices. Action is ongoing at one site where an Eidgah has been built.

In Shravasti, the most extensive action has been reported with the authorities sealing 68 unrecognised madrasas and taking eviction action against 164 more. Additionally, an illegal religious site in Bhartha Roshanpur village has been demolished.

In Pilibhit, only one illegal religious site has been found so far, with six people issued notices in connection.