By Admin 
Clouds of trouble are looming over more than 150 people living in Azad Nagar Colony located at Sahastradhara Crossing in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Waqf Board has issued a large number of notices declaring about 100 bighas of land around the Muslim graveyard located in Chuna-Bhatta crossing area as Waqf property. According to this, most of the constructions in this colony are under encroachment and will be vacated soon.
What is the allegation of Waqf Board?
The Waqf Board claims that the land situated in this area is Waqf property, which has been illegally occupied by the local residents. According to the board, the residents living here have illegally occupied about 100 bighas of land which is the property of the Waqf Board and have built houses, shops and establishments on this land. More than 150 such people have been given notices to vacate their possession by the Waqf Board. If these encroachments are not vacated then action can be taken to remove encroachments with the help of the administration in the near future.
What did the Waqf Board Chairman say?
Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams clarified that joint action will be taken by the Waqf Board and the administration against those who made unauthorized constructions on the Waqf property located at Chuna Bhatta Crossing. Waqf Chairman Shadab Shams said, “For some time now, notices have been continuously being given to the residents of Azad Nagar and as Chief Minister Dhami has already made it clear, ‘the right should not be tampered with and the wrong should not be left out’. According to the same opinion, action will be taken against the people who encroach on the Waqf Board Waqf property.
What do the residents of Azad Nagar Colony say?
Angry residents of Azad Nagar Colony say that their ancestors have been living here since 1947. During that period, rent was also paid regularly to the Waqf Board. However, in the intervening years the Waqf Board itself stopped taking rent. Now suddenly sending a notice and threatening action is unfair.
Local people argue that if this settlement was illegal, then why would the government provide electricity and water connections here? The availability of these basic facilities is proof that this is a recognized residential area. When Waqf Board tenancy documents were asked from the residents, the shocking truth came to light. According to reliable sources, only 8 to 10 people in the entire Lime Kiln Crossing area have Waqf tenancy documents.
All the remaining residents are living on Waqf properties without any formal rent agreement. This situation may increase their legal problems. Especially when the Waqf Board seems to be in no mood to show any kind of leniency this time. The residents have made a serious allegation against the Waqf that the matter related to the Waqf amendment is still pending in the court. In such a situation, taking such unilateral action even before the court’s decision comes under the purview of contempt of court.
Accused of running agenda against particular community
Local people said that a proper reply to all the notices they have received will be given to the Waqf Board in the court. Residents of the colony have alleged that the Uttarakhand government has been running an agenda against a particular community for a long time. He says that this entire matter is politically motivated and not part of any judicial process. Residents said, “Muslims are also citizens of this state and country. Then why are they being discriminated against?