Security has been heightened near the Shahi Jama Masjid in the area to maintain order and prevent any escalation of violence following the initial incident of ruckus and violence in Sambhal…reports Asian Lite Newsa
In wake of the violence that erupted after an ASI survey at a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, the district administration has announced that outsiders, social organizations, or public representatives will be barred from entering Sambhal without prior authorization from the authorities.
According to an official notification from Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya, “Any outsider, social organization or public representative without the orders of the authorities will be prohibited from entering Sambhal.”
Meanwhile, security has been heightened near the Shahi Jama Masjid in the area to maintain order and prevent any escalation of violence following the initial incident of ruckus and violence in Sambhal.
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Visuals from the area near the mosque showed security deployed with two-way radios for communication, security batons, flashlights, firearms, vehicle barriers and metal detectors to maintain the level of security for local regulations.
Police officials in the area dconducted patrolling to deter any criminal activity and maintain order, and ensure the safety of people and property by offering a visible security presence.
These measures come to effect after a survey team that had arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey of the mosque in Sambhal district on Sunday morning amid heavy police deployment faced stone-pelting from some “anti-social elements.”
Three people were killed and around two dozen others, including policemen and senior officials, were injured in a clash that broke out during a survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district on Sunday morning.
Following the incident, A magisterial inquiry was ordered into the incident, officials said.
Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said, “After the survey was completed, stone pelting started by three groups from three directions. The police used tear gas and plastic bullets to handle the situation. Another group started setting vehicles on fire and also began firing.”
‘Politics of hate and oppression’
Congress President Ajay Rai criticised the administration, describing its actions as part of a larger “politics of hate and oppression.”
Rai led a silent protest in front of the Gandhi statue at the party office in Lucknow and announced plans for a Congress delegation, including himself, to visit Sambhal. Speaking to ANI, Rai stated, “The government is trying to politicise the Sambhal incident… Politics of hate and oppression is being carried out in the state… A thorough investigation should be conducted… In the coming days, a Congress delegation, including myself, will visit Sambhal.”
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kumar Kashyap appealed for calm, saying, “I appeal to the people of Sambhal to maintain peace and uphold law and order in the state.”
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, accused of inciting violence during a mosque survey in Sambhal, denied the allegations. Barq claimed the charges against him were baseless, asserting he was in Bengaluru attending a meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board at the time of the violence.
Barq said, “The actions carried out by the police administration in Sambhal have shaken humanity and tarnished the state’s image. I was not even present in the state. This is a conspiracy by the police administration. They have murdered five innocent people, injured many, and filed false charges. A murder case should be registered against the officers responsible, and they should be arrested.”
‘It is a riot done by the government’
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that the Sambhal stone pelting incident was a riot done by the government.
“Our MP Zia ur Rahman was not even in Sambhal during the incident and despite that an FIR was lodged against him. A police officer said that one should stop taking the help of the government, for whom was it meant? It is very unfortunate to know about the young people who have lost their lives in this incident.. From all the videos we have, we know it was a riot by the government. The government was looting votes, playing with the EVM machines.. they did riot in Sambhal because they did not want to get caught, he alleged.
Further Akhilesh Yadav said that the order was passed by the Court without even listening to the other party and questioned the state government.
“Right after the order was passed by the Court, the police and the administration reached Jama Masjid and all people cooperated with them… but The Court had passed the order on the same day without even listening to any other party.. … On November 23, the police administration said that a second survey would be conducted on the next morning. My question is who gave the order to the police administration to conduct the second survey. When people cooperated in the first survey and no one had an issue, but the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee called for a second survey when it was unnecessary? The people still kept patience but when people wanted to know the reason for the second survey, the Circle officer started abusing them and did a lathi charge. People also started protesting and pelted stones… in return the police fired bullets from official and private weapons.. and there is a video recording available of this,” the SP MP added.
Yadav demanded for the suspension of the police officers and administration responsible for spoliing the atmosphere in Sambhal.
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