As part of 'Operation Clean,' the Jaisalmer district administration dismantled six illegal religious structures built on government land near the international border. The move follows a High Court ruling prioritizing national security.

Key Takeaways

  • Jaisalmer administration conducted an anti-encroachment drive titled 'Operation Clean.'
  • Six illegal mosques and madrassa buildings were demolished in border villages.
  • The structures were built on government land, including land reserved for Pong Dam displaced families.
  • The Rajasthan High Court dismissed challenges to the eviction, citing national security as paramount.

In a significant move to secure the sensitive border regions, the Jaisalmer district administration has executed a massive anti-encroachment drive under the banner of 'Operation Clean.' The operation, conducted near the India-Pakistan international boundary, resulted in the demolition of six alleged illegal structures, including mosques and madrassa buildings. The action was concentrated in the Nachna, Tanot, and Shahgarh areas, marking a decisive step in reclaiming state-owned land.

Geographic Scope and Operational Details

The demolition drive targeted several villages, including Mirpura, Hindolon Ki Dhani, Ahmadpura, and Dhanana. Utilizing heavy earthmovers, administrative and revenue officials cleared the structures under heavy security cover. Given the strategic sensitivity of the zone, security agencies and a massive police contingent were deployed to maintain order. The operation spanned an area within a 50-kilometer radius of the international border, ensuring that no unauthorized settlements disrupt the security buffer.

Legal Precedent and Land Rights

The administration emphasized that the demolished buildings were encroaching upon government property. Crucially, a portion of the land involved had been specifically reserved for the rehabilitation of families displaced by the Pong Dam project. The legal groundwork for this crackdown was fortified by a recent ruling from the Rajasthan High Court's Jodhpur Bench. On July 13, the court dismissed petitions seeking to halt the eviction of religious institutions in the border belt, observing that national security must take precedence over other concerns.

Security and Order

Despite the high-stakes nature of the operation in a border district, officials reported that the drive was carried out peacefully. There were no reported incidents of law and order disruptions. This systematic clearing of illegal structures is seen as a vital measure to streamline land use in border zones and to prevent any potential security vulnerabilities that could arise from undocumented or unauthorized constructions in such critical territories.