India, Oct. 14 -- MEERUT A 30-year-old mosque built adjacent Shri Kalki Dham Temple in UP's Sambhal district was demolished on Tuesday after officials found it to have been constructed illegally on land earmarked for a public park. The demolition exercise, carried out by the district administration under tight security, lasted nearly an hour. Police forces from two stations and personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) were deployed to prevent any law and order issues.

According to officials, the mosque was built on 262 sq m of park land (more than one hectare) in Saidangli-Manauta village. The tehsildar had issued an eviction order around 20 days ago, and Tuesday's operation was carried out in compliance with court directions...