‘Majar’ built at Baijnath Mini Sectt, officials turn blind eye

The case of a ‘Peer Majar’ being constructed on the premises of the Mini Secretariat at Baijnath, 20 km from here, has come to light at a time when protests against illegal mosques are being held at several places in the state.

Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that the minority community had constructed the ‘majar’ in front of the office of the SDM, Baijnath, during 2018-19. Initially, it was an open structure and a handful of Muslims used to offer ‘namaz’ there regularly but later it was covered with a tin shed and the compound was cemented and tiles were also laid around the ‘majar’.

SDM, Baijnath, DC Thakur said that the matter had come to his notice recently and he would look into it. He added that the ‘majar’ had existed on government land before the SDM office was constructed. It was not removed considering the sentiments of people. However, a local officer of the Revenue Department claimed that it had already been established that the ‘majar’ was constructed on government land and senior officers were well aware about it.

In the past six years, no district officer, including the SDM and the Tehsildar, who sit in the Mini Secretariat, had opposed the construction of the ‘majar’ on government land. Two years ago, volunteers of the Bajrang Dal had lodged complaints with the SDM and the Tehsildar regarding the construction of the ‘majar’ on government land but no action was taken.

However, it was not known as to who allowed the construction of the ‘majar’ on the premises of the Mini Secretariat that, too, barely 50 metres from the SDM’s office.