UP CM Akhilesh justifies suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal

As the clamor for reinstating suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal grew louder, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday defended his government's action, saying the bureaucrat ordered the demolition of a portion of the mosque which might have resulted in disturbing peace in the state.

"You should inquire from the people of that village. The Muslim families collected donation for building a mosque, a wall was built, and you took the decision without holding any consultation and spoilt the environment there," he said.

Yadav said there was no matter of mining for which the action was taken.

"The government will act against all those who act against goodwill and brotherhood or try to spoil the environment by of their work," he added, while rubbishing reports that the government acted tough only because it was a matter of illegal mining.

"If you look at the record of last two to three months then you will come to know that truck and machines were caught. We are also desirous that illegal mining should not take place," he added.

Meanwhile, the All India IAS Officers Association today met Minister for Personnel V. Narayanasamy in New Delhi, and submitted a memorandum, saying that the suspension of Gautam Budh Nagar District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal be revoked.

The Samajwadi Party Government, which had earlier described the suspension of the 2009-batch IAS officer as an 'administrative decision', has drawn flak from the leaders of various political outfits.

Nagpal had cracked down on illegal mining in Greater Noida in the last few weeks, seizing nearly 300 trolleys of sand from the Yamuna river bed. She had also formed special flying squads to check the menace, rampant along the Yamuna and Hindon rivers in western Uttar Pradesh.