Education under scrutiny: UP removes illegal madrasas near India-Nepal frontier

In a major drive to clear illegal structures near the India-Nepal border, Uttar Pradesh authorities have demolished at least 20 mosques and madrasas built on government land, officials said.

According to a statement issued by the state government on April 27, hundreds of encroachments were removed across the border districts of Bahraich, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Lakhimpur Kheri under Section 67 of the Revenue Code.

In Shravasti district alone, authorities targeted 17 unrecognised madrasas — 10 located in Bhinga tehsil and seven in Jamunha tehsil, the statement said.

In Naugarh tehsil of Siddharthnagar district, five illegal structures — including a mosque and a madrasa — were pulled down.

Officials also found and flagged six additional unauthorized constructions in Shohratgarh tehsil.

In Lakhimpur Kheri district’s Palia tehsil, a mosque under illegal construction at Krishna Nagar Colony was demolished. "Prayers were being offered at the site," the statement noted.

Meanwhile, in Nanpara tehsil of Bahraich district, 227 instances of land encroachment were recorded.

While 63 were removed earlier, 26 more were cleared between April 25 and 27, totaling 89 removals.

Officials confirmed that no religious or educational buildings were among these cleared sites.

Encroachments were also identified in Maharajganj district's Farenda, Nautanwa, and Nichlaul tehsils.

One case is pending before the courts, while demolition and eviction proceedings continue elsewhere, according to the statement.

In Balrampur district, seven cases of encroachment were recorded — five in Balrampur tehsil and two in Tulsipur tehsil.

Officials reported that two encroachers voluntarily vacated the land, while action is ongoing against the others.