Locals wake up to find religious structures removed, raising questions over timing, consultation, and impact on shared places of worship in the region
RAMPUR — A late-night demolition drive in the Bilaspur area of Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur District has led to the removal of two religious structures, including a historic shrine, during a highway widening project, with authorities citing encroachment clearance under development plans.
The action was carried out late Tuesday night as part of the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department highway expansion work.
According to officials, the structures, including a shrine known locally as Hazrat Sadik Shah Miyan dargah, were identified as being within the proposed road widening zone.
A district official said, “The removal was necessary for the progress of the highway project and was done strictly as per legal procedures.”
Heavy police deployment was seen during the operation. The area was cordoned off, and traffic movement at key junctions such as the main chowk and Kemri crossing was temporarily halted to prevent disruption.
JCB machines and dumpers were brought in under tight security arrangements. Officials said the operation was planned in a way to avoid resistance and ensure smooth execution.
By early morning, residents discovered that the structures had been demolished, leading to a gathering of local people at the site.
Many residents expressed shock over the sudden action, saying the place had been visited by people from different communities over the years.
One resident said, “We woke up and saw that the shrine was gone. People from both communities used to visit this place.”
Officials maintained that the structures were classified as encroachments under the highway widening plan and had to be removed for infrastructure development.
They further stated that the demolition was part of a broader effort to improve road connectivity and reduce congestion in the region.
However, the timing of the action—carried out late at night—has raised questions among locals regarding communication and consultation before the removal.
Authorities have defended the move, saying such steps are sometimes required to ensure the timely completion of public infrastructure projects.
The incident adds to ongoing discussions in the region over balancing development work with preservation of long-standing community-linked religious sites.
