Bhilwara: Nagar Palika Shahpura Thursday removed years-old encroachments near Sultan Shah ki Baori, close to the old bus stand in Shahpura town, following a Rajasthan Waqf Tribunal order. The demolition, carried out using JCB machines, took place amid tight security and prohibitory orders imposed by the administration.Shahpura Sub-Divisional Officer Sunil Meena said that in view of the potential sensitivity of the issue, prohibitory orders were imposed under Section 163 of the BNS. He said the administration would not allow any disorder or attempts to take the law into one’s own hands. Police cordoned off the entire disputed area from Thursday morning, erected iron barricades and deployed personnel at key locations.The land around Sultan Shah ki Baori was long at the centre of a dispute between the waqf committee and Nagar Palika Shahpura over ownership. The waqf committee claimed around 1 bigha 10 biswa of land as waqf property. However, after hearing the matter, the Rajasthan Waqf Tribunal rejected the committee’s larger claim and recognised its rights over only a small portion of it.Following the tribunal’s order, the Nagar Palika issued a public notice asking those concerned to remove the encroachments voluntarily. While some vegetable vendors dismantled their structures, several cabins, temporary constructions and alleged religious structures remained on the disputed land.During Thursday’s operation, the waqf committee sought more time, prompting the administration to pause the demolition for about an hour. Officials said they were willing to extend the deadline if the removal process began immediately. However, after no substantial action was taken, the administration resumed the drive and cleared the remaining structures using JCB machines.
