High Alert In Sambhal Ahead Of Friday Prayers After Jama Masjid Survey

Security in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal has been increased ahead of Friday prayers following a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid.

Security forces deployed at Jama Masjid in Sambhal ahead of Friday prayers.

Source : ANI

Security has been heightened in the Sambhal town of Uttar Pradesh ahead of Friday prayers after a survey of the Jama Masjid was conducted following a court order. 

On Tuesday, a court in Uttar Pradesh directed an advocate commissioner to conduct the survey over a plea claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Kalki temple during Mughal rule. The mosque is recognised as a historic monument on the official site of Sambhal district. 

All the roads except one for the mosque-goers have been barricaded with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. 

Surveillance is being kept through CCTV cameras outside the mosque and the police are strictly monitoring social media sites. 

The prayer will be offered at 1:30 pm. 

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Security tightened outside Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal.

Following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain in the court of the civil judge at Sambhal claiming the mosque of being a temple, a survey was carried out on 19th November, in the… pic.twitter.com/SAu0pIoYvB

— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2024

The masjid committee has urged people to offer namaz in mosques in their areas and not crowd the Shahi Jama Masjid. The committee has also appealed that people from the nearby areas who have been offering namaz at the Jama Masjid should only come to the mosque and appealed to everyone to cooperate with the district administration.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said that the police met various stakeholders and urged everyone to offer Friday prayers in the mosques of their own areas.

"A survey of Jama Masjid was held a few days back as per the Court's order...Foot patrolling has been done by PAC, RAF and various Police personnel from various stations...," the police official told ANI. 

"Meetings with various stakeholders have been done and everyone has been urged to offer Friday namaz in the mosques of their own areas. Meetings have also been done with mohalla committees of Jama Masjid, they too have announced for people to offer Friday namaz in the mosques of their own PS areas," he added. 

"I hope that the peace in the district will continue. If anyone tries to affect the peace, strictest action will be taken against them."

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati spoke on the issue and urged the state government and the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the situation. 

"The news of the sudden controversy, hearing and then the hasty survey immediately after that regarding Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal district of UP is making headlines in the media, but the government and the Hon'ble Supreme Court should also take cognizance of spoiling the harmony and atmosphere in this manner," she said in a post on X.