KANPUR: A nearly 100-year-old graveyard was reportedly demolished during an anti-encroachment drive carried out by the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA), triggering strong objections from local residents and members of the graveyard committee.
According to the graveyard committee, the cemetery has been in existence for around a century and historical records dating back decades support its status. The committee alleged that despite submitting documents concerning the graveyard, the KDA proceeded with the demolition.
The demolition reportedly involved the use of bulldozers, with a substantial portion of the graveyard and boundary structures affected during the operation. Local residents attempted to oppose the action, but police personnel were deployed at the site.
KDA officials, according to the report, maintained that the land had been occupied illegally and that the action was undertaken as part of the authority's proceedings against encroachment.
The graveyard committee has disputed the authority's position and said it would pursue the matter through legal channels. Committee members said they had documents relating to the cemetery's ownership and status and questioned the decision to carry out the demolition despite their objections.
The incident has raised concerns among local residents over the protection of old burial grounds and the procedures followed before demolition of religious or community properties.
The graveyard committee has announced that it will continue its legal battle before the appropriate courts and seek protection of the remaining cemetery land.

