Overnight illegal construction of Mazar (mausoleum) on Rly Land sparks tension in Varanasi

Overnight illegal construction of Mazar (mausoleum) on Rly Land sparks tension in Varanasi

Varanasi (BSB): Tension gripped Konia locality in Jaitpura area following a bid to construct a mazar (mausoleum or tomb) on railway land on Thursday. Konia locality has a mixed population of Muslims and Hindus and is located along the Varanasi-Chapra railway line. The Muslim dominated locality is located on one side of the tracks while Hindus on the other side. According to reports, a group of Muslims along with so called clerics cleaned approximately 1000 Sq.Ft area on the railway land on Wednesday during mid night.

By the wee hours of Thursday morning, they started constructing a mazar at the same site. However, people from other community reached the site and opposed the move.  The news of Hindus opposing the illegal construction of mazar gone viral and within few minutes, a large number of muslims gathered and started fighting with the other community, while a group of muslims started stone pelting from various corners.

The news of the incident brought officials on their toes. Circle officers of Chetganj and Kotwali rushed to the spot along with police force of five police stations and PAC.

After it was confirmed that the construction was being undertaken on railway land, the officials seized the construction material and warned those involved in the act. The Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) were called to handle the case as the land belonged to the railways.

A camp has been established at the site in view of the prevailing tension in the locality.