Sambhal News: After violence during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal claimed four lives and injured scores of others, the district administration has prohibited any outsider, social organisation or public representative from entering Sambhal without the orders of the authorities.
Internet services have been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration has declared a holiday on Monday for all students up to Class 12. The Jama Masjid was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site. Images shared on social media showed protesters pelting stones at cops from atop buildings and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Pictures also showed a large number of slippers, bricks and stones scattered on a lane after the violence.
Around 20 security personnel were among those injured in the clashes that began after protesters opposed the survey on Sunday morning, police said. The divisional commissioner said when the survey team was leaving after completing the exercise, some people started pelting stones. A constable, who suffered an injury to the head, has been sent to the Meerut Medical College and his condition is critical, PTI reported quoting a police officer.
The crowd enraged over the survey set several vehicles on fire. To regain control of the situation, police resorted to tear gas and baton charges.
Later in the day, the Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar was seen addressing the crowd with a heavy police presence. Through a loudspeaker, he is heard warning the agitators, saying, "Don't ruin your future because of these leaders." Despite his appeals, the crowd hurled stones at the police officers." Meanwhile, security was also beefed up in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly after the clashes.