CNI Katra Church and residents demanded DM to stop the order
Prayagraj: The excavation and preparatory work for the construction of a government office at Katra Mission Compound (Block No. 423, Village Beli, Tehsil Sadar) without any notice has sparked anger among the local church, schools and families living there. In a meeting held at Katra Church Compound, it was decided by Pastor Ajit Oliver Francis, Presbyter-in-Charge, CNI that a memorandum would be submitted to the District Magistrate Prayagraj at 11:00 am on Friday demanding a stay on the action.
The petition states that the land is registered in the name of the American Presbyterian Church and has been used for social welfare purposes. Mary Lucas School and College and Bishop Johnson Extension are located on either side of the alleged construction site. Approximately 60 families (approximately 300 people) and hundreds of members of the Christian community conduct their religious and community activities in the area. Although the petition in the High Court case (Writ-C No. 45383 of 2025 — Lucknow Diocesan Trust Association vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and others) is pending, with the petition granted on January 14, 2026, to withdraw and refile the petition, contractors suddenly arrived at the site at approximately 12:00 pm today and began excavation, without providing any notice or opportunity to be heard to the affected parties.
The letter requests the district administration to: Immediately ban any construction, excavation work on land number 423. Relevant officials and construction agencies should be instructed not to proceed with any work until the court process is completed and the ownership rights are verified. An impartial report should be submitted after investigating the actual ownership and documents of the land. Rev. Ajit Oliver stated that the church management, the management committees of both schools, and nearby residents are planning to file a fresh petition in the High Court, and that a halt to construction is necessary until then to protect public interest and the safety of children. This information was provided by media in-charge Sunil Kumar Verma.
