The Sambhal region in Uttar Pradesh has seen violent clashes break out after a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid there went awry. The clashes resulted in the death of at least 5 people as per reports, along with 20 police personnel and other people getting injured.
But what causes the clashes to break out in the first place? Why was such an intense reaction seen? And how are political parties already trying to use it to their own advantage?
What Happened In Sambhal’s Jama Masjid?
On November 19th, the 16th-century mosque Shahi Jama Masjid was surveyed on court orders after senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain filed a petition at a local court claiming that the mosque had been a Harihar temple originally.
The survey could not be completed on that date, though, and was rescheduled for 24 November. However, a large group of people gathered around the area and started protesting by shouting slogans and other insults at the survey team.
“The survey was conducted between 7 am and 11 am, as per court directions. The process was initially peaceful with adequate police deployment. However, some people started stone-pelting, and the police dispersed them. Then, a larger mob of 2000-3000 people gathered and started stone-pelting again,” Divisional Commissioner Singh told ANI.
As told to PTI by Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, some of the people started to throw stones at the survey team when they were leaving.
Singh stated “There were groups on three sides. One from the front, one from the right and one from the left. They were continuously pelting stones. Police used force so that the survey team could be taken out and escorted safely. Tear gas shells were also fired. Plastic bullets were used.”
A clash soon broke out resulting in the death of three people and two dozen policemen and senior officials getting injured. Security was heightened after this incident to maintain order and prevent other violence.
Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh speaking with reporters also said “The police PRO was shot in the foot during the firing. The deputy collector’s foot was fractured. The Circle Officer (CO) was injured. A total of three people are confirmed dead in the firing. The situation is under control, and we are speaking to with their representatives.”
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The police used tear gas to control the stone pelters. The situation escalated to vehicles being set on fire and property being damaged in the area.
Eventually, this led to the internet services being suspended in Sambhal for 24 hours and a holiday was also declared for 25th November for students till Class 12 by the district administration.
Along with this prohibitory orders were also issued and entry to the area was barred for outsiders till 30th November.
The order issued under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), by the District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya stated “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 district administration has also restricted citizens from buying or collecting soda bottles, explosive or flammable materials, stones, and more on their roofs, with strict action promised to be taken against those found violating this order.
The Municipal Corporation was also told to seize construction materials found on the road without delay.
As per an Al Jazeera report while victims and other protesters claim that the police were shooting them dead, the police on the other hand claim that it was the protesters who made the first move.
According to a police officer, “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.”
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi also said “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.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: TOI, The Indian Express, BBC
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This post is tagged under: Sambhal, Sambhal clash, Sambhal violence, Sambhal news, Sambhal jama masjid, Sambhal news today, Sambhal jama masjid news, Sambhal masjid, shahi jama masjid, shahi jama masjid up, up, uttar pradesh, uttar pradesh sambhal
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