Lucknow, May 2 (UNI) On the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a vigorous crackdown on illegal encroachments, unauthorised religious and educational institutions continued across districts bordering Nepal on Friday, official sources said here.

Sources said that the campaign, aimed at reclaiming valuable borderland and restoring administrative order, witnessed a flurry of demolitions, evictions, and sealing of unlawful establishments. "Special drives were launched in Pilibhit, Shravasti, Bahraich, Balrampur, Siddharth Nagar and Maharajganj. Illegal constructions were demolished in Shravasti and Maharajganj," they said.

Sources said that in Balrampur alone, authorities identified and shut down 20 substandard madrasas, sealing six and issuing notices to others that failed to produce proper records. "Three unrecognised madrasas in Tulsipur tehsil's Bhagha Kala, Bhachakhiya and Nand Mahara villages were also closed," they said.

Sources said that out of 384 illegal encroachments near the Indo-Nepal border in Bahraich, 143 have already been cleared. "A joint task force of the Revenue Department and police is actively pursuing the removal of the remaining 241. Six unauthorised madrasas have also been sealed in the district," they said.

Sources said that Siddharth Nagar district reported identification of 21 encroachments within a 10-kilometre radius of the border, including 17 unrecognised madrasas and four unauthorised religious structures. "Notices have been issued to 20 of these, and one structure has already been removed.

Shravasti district saw decisive action with the sealing of 53 unrecognised madrasas. Eviction notices were issued to 151 more and demolition began on an illegal religious structure in Bhartha Roshangarh village, in Bhinga tehsil," they said.

Sources said that in Pilibhit, officials reported the presence of seven illegal madrasas and 77 unauthorised religious places. "Notices have been issued to several of these, with follow-up action ongoing," they said.

Sources said that Maharajganj district recorded the identification of 34 unauthorised religious places and madrasas in the tehsils of Nautanwa, Nichlaul and Farenda. "Legal action has been taken against 25 of them. Two madrasas have been sealed and two illegal structures demolished. One site has been vacated and handed over to the village society, another has been seized and one shrine has been issued a notice to vacate," they said.

Sources said that the government has made its stance unambiguous, no illegal religious or educational establishments will be tolerated within 10 kilometres of the international border. "Authorities have been directed to ensure immediate removal of all encroachments, with sustained monitoring to prevent future violations," they said.

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