Sambhal Violence: Ban On Entry Of Outsiders Extended Till December 10, Security Remains Heightened

Heightened security remains in Sambhal district due to violence during a court-ordered mosque survey, with restrictions extended to December 31 and outsiders banned until December 10.

Security continued to remain heightened in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district which was marred with violence over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in the town. 

The administration also extended a ban on the entry of outsiders and public representatives into the area till December 10 to maintain "peace and order." 

Curbs under Section 163 (power to issue an order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were set to expire on Sunday, but have now been extended till December 31.

In a statement, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya said, "To maintain peace and order, the imposition of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the district has been extended to December 31." "No outsider, social organisation or public representative can enter the district without seeking permission from the competent authority till December 10," he added.

Tensions simmered in Sambhal since November 19 when the mosque was surveyed following claims that a Harihar temple stood at the site of the Mughal-era mosque. 

The situation escalated on November 24 during a second survey as protestors gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel. Four people were killed in the violence while several others were injured. Police have denied allegations that it fired at the protestors. 

On Saturday, several Samajwadi Party lawmakers, including Sambhal MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq were stopped from entering the violence-hit district as the ban on entry of outsiders was extended. 

Later, the party announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the four people who died in violence. 

Slamming the Yogi Adityanath dispensation in the state over prohibitory orders, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Imposing a ban is the failure of the BJP government's governance, administration and government management. Had the government imposed such a ban earlier on those who dreamed of triggering riots and made people raise frenzied slogans, the atmosphere of harmony and peace in Sambhal would not have been spoiled."