At least 5 people were dead and several others, including over 20 police personnel, were injured in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal after violent clashes erupted following a court-mandated survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid.
The survey was ordered following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, claiming that the Mosque was originally a temple.
What led to clashes?
The tension started on Sunday as a large group of people gathered near the Mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began their work in the Shahi Jama Masjid.
The protesters tried to torch vehicles and pelted stones at the police who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob.
“Gunshots were fired by the miscreants and some pellets struck our policemen. We are investigating where the shots were fired from, particularly in the Deepa Sarai area,” an officer said.
Tension has been brewing in Sambhal over the past few days after the Jama Masjid was surveyed on last Tuesday on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site.
“Some miscreants in the crowd threw stones at the police team. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control,” Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said.
“We are in the process of registering an FIR in the incident. The accused will also be booked under the NSA,” the police officer added.
Petitioner Vishnu Shankar Jain had said the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) ordered the constitution of an “Advocate Commission” to survey the Mosque. The court has said that a report should be filed after conducting a videography and photography survey through the commission, he had said.
The Central and Uttar Pradesh governments, the Mosque committee and the district magistrate of Sambhal have been made parties in the petition concerning the Mosque, Jain.
Entry restricted
Sambhal District Magistrate (SDM) issued a notification prohibiting any outsider, social organization or public representative from entering the riot-torn district without the orders of the authorities.
“No external person, other social organizations, or public representatives will be allowed to enter the district of Sambhal without permission from the competent authority. This order will be an integral part of the prohibitory order dated 01.10.2024 and will be enforced immediately. Violation of this order will be a punishable offense under Section 223 of the Indian Penal Code, 2023,” the circular said.
Internet blackout
As a precaution, internet services across the district have been suspended for a day. In view of the violence, the district administration issued a notice prohibiting citizens from buying or collecting stones, soda bottles, or any flammable or explosive materials on their roofs.
The notice, issued by local SDM, warns that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating this order. Additionally, instructions were given to the Municipal Corporation to confiscate any construction material lying on roads immediately.
Around 20 people have been taken into custody following the alleged stone-pelting and clashes that erupted during a survey of a Mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday morning, police said.
