'Illegal' mazar demolished in Haridwar after locals complain

HARIDWAR : The Haridwar district administration demolished a mazar , allegedly constructed illegally about 15-20 years ago in Mirpur village, on Saturday. The structure was on the right bank of Gang Nahar (Upper Ganga Canal), about 15km from the district headquarters. Officials said a demolition notice was issued in March.

Former head of Mirpur gram panchayat, Rao Zubair, said DM Karmendra Singh had earlier ordered an investigation following complaints from some locals. The decision to demolish it was taken after it was found the structure was illegal.

The DM said the land where the structure stood was owned by the rehabilitation department and leased out for agricultural purposes by the irrigation department. Some people constructed the mazar illegally.

Singh said, "Also, the lease period had expired. When a notice was served, they promised to remove the structure themselves. But since they did not follow through, the structure had to be demolished."