In Alam Sarai village, officials levelled a decades-old Muslim Cemetery, calling it encroachment on government land; locals question action
SAMBHAL – A Muslim graveyard in Alam Sarai village, located in the Mandi Kishan Das area of the Sambhal tehsil in Uttar Pradesh, was completely levelled by bulldozers on Monday as part of an official drive to remove alleged “encroachments”. The action, carried out by the district administration, has sparked questions and concern from residents.
A large number of police officers were present at the site while the bulldozers tore down graves, boundary wires and fencing around the cemetery, which locals claim had existed for many years.
According to the officials, the graveyard stood on barren government land and was marked without any formal approval. The administration stated that the land had been illegally registered as a cemetery through fraudulent documents.
Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh, who oversaw the operation, said: “After a complaint was received, both parties were heard. The investigation showed that a graveyard was built on government land without permission.’
He added, “The SDM gave orders to remove the encroachment. The land has now been returned to the village community, and the process of building a boundary wall has begun.”
Officials said that a report on the action will be sent to the District Magistrate and that legal steps will follow against those who created the false documents.
“We will not tolerate any illegal occupation of government land,” Tehsildar Singh warned.
Local sources say the cemetery had been in use for several decades, and residents are shocked at the sudden demolition. However, no official statement has yet been made by those opposing the move.
The incident adds to a series of recent actions under the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh, which has targeted Muslim religious sites such as mosques, madrasas, mazars, Eidgahs, and now graveyards. Rights groups and locals have raised concerns about fairness and religious sensitivity in such operations.
The administration, however, maintains that all such actions are strictly legal and only target “encroachments” on public land, regardless of religious identity.
