Encroachment at Khandwa dargah removed amid protests:Muslim community’s land claim rejected by Waqf Board; heavy police deployment across village

A major anti-encroachment drive began on Tuesday morning in Sihada village of Khandwa. The administration, supported by heavy police force, started removing encroachment near a Dargah after the Waqf Board ruled in favour of the Gram Panchayat. Security has been tightened across the village, and the Muslim community is protesting the action. Anti-encroachment drive begins The administration started the drive early on Tuesday. A large police presence was deployed in the village. JCB machines were used to remove the Dargah’s encroachment. Senior officials, including the SDM, were present at the site. See pictures – Why the action was taken The action followed a decision by the Waqf Board. Earlier, the Muslim community had claimed ownership of the land. They approached the Waqf Board after receiving an encroachment notice. On 5 December, the Board heard the case and examined documents. The Board declared the land to be a populated area, not Waqf land. With this decision, the case went in favour of the Gram Panchayat. Panchayat declared the structure illegal The Gram Panchayat had already marked the Dargah as illegal. It accused the Waqf Committee of wrongly claiming rights over the entire village land. After the Board’s ruling, the Panchayat requested the administration to take possession of the land. Heavy police deployment The revenue department prepared the action plan. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, security was increased. Police forces reached the village suddenly on Tuesday morning. Officers monitored every lane and corner. Only after securing the area did the anti-encroachment work begin. Protests by Muslim Community Members of the Muslim community opposed the action. They gathered at the site and protested while the removal work continued.