Sambhal Violence: Schools Shut, Internet Suspended As Mosque Survey Violence Kills 4 | Key Updates

Sambhal Violence: Schools Shut, Internet Suspended As Mosque Survey Violence Kills 4 | Key Updates
Four people lost their lives, and numerous others, including 20 police officers, were injured as hundreds of protesters clashed with police during a demonstration against a mosque survey in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday.
In response to the violence, authorities have implemented stringent security measures, including prohibitory orders, school and college closures, and a temporary suspension of internet services in the area.The survey was carried out following a court directive issued in response to a complaint alleging that the mosque was constructed after a temple was demolished during the Mughal era, reported India Today.
Sambhal Violence | Key Developments
Security measures: Internet services in Sambhal have been suspended for 24 hours, with all schools up to Class 12 and colleges remaining closed. Prohibitory orders banning public gatherings are in place. Authorities have also prohibited the purchase or stockpiling of stones, soda bottles, or any flammable or explosive materials. Outsiders, social organisations, and public representatives have been barred from entering the area without prior permission.
Clashes erupt: Violence broke out as protesters opposed the Advocate Commission’s survey, prompted by a complaint alleging that the Shahi Masjid in Sambhal was built on the site of a demolished temple. Protesters hurled stones and set vehicles ablaze, prompting police to respond with tear gas. The unrest, which began around 7 am on Sunday, continued for hours.
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Police injuries: Miscreants reportedly fired shots during the clashes, injuring a police officer who was shot in the leg. Another officer was struck by pellets, while 15 to 20 security personnel sustained injuries. One officer suffered a severe head injury, and a deputy collector fractured his leg.
Visual evidence: Videos showed protesters throwing stones at police from rooftops and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later footage showed police cornering and striking individuals as they sought to disperse a large crowd in a narrow alley.
Casualties identified: The deceased have been identified as Nauman, Bilal, Naim, and Mohd Kaif. While there are claims that the victims sustained bullet injuries, police have stated that the exact cause of death will be determined following autopsies.
Political criticism: Opposition parties criticised the BJP over the incident. The Congress accused the police of firing directly at protesters, calling it the “horrifying result of a well-planned conspiracy” by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP-RSS. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the BJP, alleging that the government orchestrated the violence “to divert attention from electoral malpractice”.
BJP response: The BJP dismissed the allegations, claiming the INDIA alliance had been attempting to create unrest following their failure in the Lok Sabha elections. A party spokesperson accused the alliance, which BJP leaders often label the “ghamandia alliance” (an alliance full of arrogance), of being behind the violence.
Survey details: Tensions in Sambhal had been simmering since 19th November, when the Jama Masjid was first surveyed under a local court’s orders following a petition asserting that a Harihar temple once existed at the site. Police stated the initial survey was incomplete, necessitating a second survey on Sunday. Despite the violence, the Advocate Commissioner completed the survey.
Enquiry and arrests: Officials announced a magisterial enquiry into the incident. 21 individuals, including two women, have been detained, with those accused of violence set to be charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
Legal claims: Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, a petitioner in the case, urged the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take control of the “temple”. Local lawyer Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu side, claimed the temple was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529.
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