Meerut, Oct. 4 -- A mosque situated on government land in a Sambhal village witnessed people gathering for the Friday prayers for the last time as its demolition loomed. On Thursday, the district administration granted four days' time for the mosque's removal in Rae Buzurg.

On Thursday, district magistrate Rajendra Pansiya and superintendent of police Krishan Bishnoi led a demolition drive to remove a marriage hall built on 2,810 square metres on the said land parcel. The area was designated for a pond, officials said. Simultaneously, officials directed that the mosque, occupying 510 square meters, must also be removed within four days.

Meanwhile, nearly 300 people gathered at the mosque on Friday to offer prayers. Imam Waris Ali, from ...