Mussoorie | AntarSaga News
A tense situation unfolded in Mussoorie’s Laxmanpuri area on Saturday after the district administration demolished a long-standing tin-roofed structure located within a Muslim graveyard complex, prompting protests by members of the Muslim community and a brief blockade of the Mussoorie–Tehri Bypass Road.
According to the administration, the demolished structure was an unauthorised religious construction standing on Municipal Council (Nagar Palika) land. Officials stated that the action followed due legal process, including multiple notices and a joint verification by various government departments.
The Muslim community, however, strongly disputed the administration’s description of the structure. Community representatives maintained that it was not a mazar or a regular mosque, but a modest room with a tin roof used for temporarily keeping the deceased during heavy rain or harsh weather, storing funeral-related items, and providing shelter to grieving relatives during burial rituals. They also said prayers may occasionally have been offered there during funeral proceedings.
Importantly, the graveyard itself was not demolished, according to the information available. The demolition was confined to the disputed structure situated within the cemetery premises.
Administration: “No Documents Were Produced Despite Repeated Notices”
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rahul Anand said the administration had issued notices over a period of more than two months asking the graveyard committee to submit documents supporting the legality of the structure.
According to the SDM, the first notice was issued on 21 May to the committee president seeking ownership and construction-related records. Officials said no response was received despite repeated follow-ups.
A joint inspection on 23 June, involving the Revenue Department, Nagar Palika and representatives of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board, reportedly concluded that the land falls within the jurisdiction of the Mussoorie Municipal Council.
A subsequent notice dated 24 June directed the committee to remove the structure voluntarily within three days, failing which the administration would proceed with demolition and recover the cost from the committee. The SDM stated that no documentary evidence establishing the legality of the structure was submitted within the stipulated period.
The administration further said records examined from the Municipal Council, Revenue Department, Cantonment Board and other concerned authorities indicated that the land is public property, following which demolition was carried out under due process.
Community Rejects Administration’s Claims
Members of the Muslim community alleged that the administration ignored their concerns and historical association with the site.
Islam Ahmad, speaking at the protest, claimed that the structure was a storage and resting room rather than a mazar. He further claimed that the dome had earlier been removed following directions from the administration and that both the District Magistrate and SDM had been informed.
Kamil Ali said the graveyard is an old Muslim burial ground where noted freedom fighter Abbas Tayyab is buried. He claimed the community had shown historical documents, including a 1929 Survey of India map, and alleged that officials had earlier indicated only the minaret needed removal while the remaining structure would be allowed to stay.
Maulana Danish described the action as unjust and said the community would now seek relief through the courts.
Waqf Board Secretary Shahid Mansoori claimed that the community possesses several historical records, including a 1914 Cantonment map, a 1920 British-era record, a 1962 survey map, Waqf-related documents and a registered deed, which they say support their claim over the site. These claims have not been independently verified by AntarSaga.
Heavy Security Deployment
The demolition was carried out in the presence of Municipal Executive Officer Gaurav Bhasin, Naib Tehsildar Upendra Rana, police personnel and the Fire Department. Access to the demolition site was restricted during the operation, leading protesters to gather on the bypass road where slogans were raised and a brief road blockade affected traffic.
Police later brought the situation under control, though tensions remained high.
Community to Move Court
Following the demolition, members of the Muslim community announced that they would challenge the administrative action before the court, asserting that they possess documentary evidence supporting their case.
The administration, on the other hand, maintains that the action was carried out strictly in accordance with legal procedure after repeated notices and verification by the concerned departments.
AntarSaga Note: This report presents both the administration’s official position and the claims made by members of the Muslim community. Historical maps, ownership records and other documentary claims cited by community representatives have not been independently verified by AntarSaga at the time of publication.