In Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, the administration carried out a major operation on the day of Somvati Amavasya. In the city's Harthala locality, a roughly 200-year-old mazar standing beside the Moradabad-Haridwar highway was brought down by a bulldozer in the early hours of Monday. Officials say the move was part of an anti-encroachment campaign aimed at keeping the route of the approaching Kanwar Yatra free of obstructions.
Why the bulldozer moved in
According to officials, the mazar stood right in the middle stretch of the highway and had become an obstacle, repeatedly disrupting the flow of traffic. This portion of the highway is already quite narrow, and the risk of accidents here had long been a concern. With the Kanwar Yatra drawing near, the administration feared the blockage could cause trouble for Shiv devotees travelling as Kanwariyas, and so it decided to clear the path.
During the operation, not just the mazar but also a room attached to it was demolished. The entire matter falls within the Harthala area under the Civil Lines police station limits, located on the Moradabad-Haridwar highway.
Who led the operation
The action was carried out under the leadership of Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Kumar Singh. The administration argues that illegal structures and obstructions on public roads must be cleared, as removing them had become necessary for road widening and for improving the traffic system. Officials stress that this was not a one-off step but part of a wider drive to clear encroachments from public routes.
What local residents say
Local residents, however, see the matter differently. They say the mazar had been present here for a very long time and had gradually become part of the area's identity. According to them, it was believed to be around 200 years old.
Tight security arrangements
Given the sensitivity of the matter, a heavy police force was deployed at the spot during the operation. Police and administrative officers remained present throughout to deal with any untoward situation or tension. Even after the mazar was removed, police deployment has continued in the area to maintain peace and law and order.
