Chaos at KGMU: Barricades erected around centuries-old shrine

Lucknow: Chaos erupted at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow after unidentified individuals erected bamboo barricades around a historic shrine behind the Eye Department near Gate No. 1.

The shrine, reportedly 6–7 centuries old, had previously coexisted with dozens of illegal shops, which were cleared following a court order, except for the shrine itself.

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Earlier, three of the eight mazars on the KGMU campus were demolished after the management committees failed to provide legal proof of ownership or land rights within the 15-day deadline ending February 12. Sources said the administration had informed the committees that the demolition drive would resume after Eid al-Fitr, expected on March 20.

K.K. Singh, a lecturer at KGMU who is tasked with overseeing the encroachment drive with the help of the district administration and police, said the cleared plot was being used as a parking lot owing to a shortage of space following the construction of a second trauma centre. “Some people erected bamboo barriers around the parking area on the night of Holi (March 4). We have submitted an application to the police to file an FIR against those responsible. We also provided them with CCTV footage on Friday. We hope that the police get the area vacated and take action against those involved. If needed, we will also inform the chief minister about the development,” Singh said, reports Telegraph India.

Copies of the correspondence were also forwarded to several senior officials, including the University Registrar, the Nodal Officer of the Department of General Surgery, the Director General of Police, the Police Commissioner, and other relevant authorities.

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