Uttar Pradesh Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Religious Structures Near Nepal Border

The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday continued its intensified drive against illegal religious establishments and encroachments in districts bordering Nepal.

The action is part of a broader campaign to regulate unrecognized madrasas and remove unauthorised religious structures constructed on government land.

Joint teams comprising police personnel and officials from the Revenue Department have been conducting coordinated operations across several border districts.

These teams are identifying, sealing, or demolishing religious sites — including madrasas, mosques, and mazars — that are found to be either unregistered or built in violation of existing norms.

According to official statements, madrasas functioning without required recognition and those not adhering to the prescribed curriculum are being shut down.

Simultaneously, religious structures erected illegally on public land are being demolished. The government has described this campaign as a reflection of its zero-tolerance policy toward illegal encroachments and unauthorized religious activity.

In Shravasti district, authorities sealed five unrecognized madrasas on Thursday.

Additionally, illegal mosques constructed on state-owned land in villages such as Bhartha and Roshan Garh (Bhinga tehsil) were dismantled.

Officials reported that a total of 41 religious structures have been targeted in Shravasti so far, contributing to an overall figure of 139 actions taken in the region.

Both temporary and permanent encroachments within a 15-kilometer radius of the Nepal border have been removed.

In Pilibhit district, similar actions continued as part of the coordinated border-area campaign, with further structures under scrutiny.

In Balrampur district, authorities served notices to eight madrasas and demolished three illegal mazars. Notices have also been issued to five more mosques. In one case, officials are evaluating the legality of an Eidgah that was allegedly constructed without proper authorization.

So far, 20 madrasas in the district have been shut down for operating in violation of educational norms and failing to follow the mandated syllabus.

Additionally, two more institutions were served with notices after failing to submit their required documentation within the stipulated one-week deadline.

In the Bahraich district, specifically in the tehsils of Nanpara and Mihipurwa, eight illegal structures were demolished on Wednesday and Thursday.

Officials noted that 135 encroachments have been cleared in the district so far. Earlier actions also led to the sealing of five madrasas, and in three recent instances, individuals voluntarily removed illegal constructions.

The government has reiterated that the drive aims to ensure the lawful use of public land and to bring educational and religious institutions into compliance with constitutional and regulatory norms