Panchkula, March 18 -- The Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) on Tuesday removed two "illegal" religious structures along the Zirakpur-Kalka highway. The demolition order was issued on Monday by Panchkula district magistrate Satpal Sharma two days after the PMDA informed him that these structures were occupying government land.

The razed structures included the Gogga Jahar Veer temple located in Maheshpur village, Sector 21, and Dargah Sultan Mohammad Khan Ji in Devi Nagar village, Sector 3. A heavy police force was deployed at both locations. Kuldeep Saini, caretaker of the Gogga Jahar Veer temple, spread over 15 marlas, said that the structure was around 70 years old, having religious significance for locals. Members o...