The death toll in Sambhal has risen to five following the violent clash that erupted in the city as cops fired on Muslim protesting the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday. Schools are closed, mobile internet has been suspended, larger gatherings are banned and a case has been filed against Samajwadi Party leader Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Shail Iqbal for orchestrating violence, mobilizing crowds, and provoking unrest, officials said.Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and has banned the entry of outsiders till November 30.
What are the Latest Developments in Sambhal?
Internet services have been suspended for 24 hours in Sambhal. All schools and colleges have been shut down and prohibitory orders have been released banning public gatherings in place. Orders have also been issued to ban purchasing or stockpiling stones, soda bottles or any other flammable materials.
Furthermore, outsiders, social organizations and public representatives have also been banned from entering the area without permission till Nov 30.
Authorities reported that gunfire was exchanged between the suspects and police, resulting in one officer being shot in the leg. Another officer sustained pellet injuries, while 15 to 20 security personnel were injured during the violent incident. Additionally, one officer suffered a severe head injury, and the deputy collector fractured his leg.
Opposition parties have condemned the BJP in the wake of the violence. The Congress accused the police of directly firing at protesters, calling it the “horrifying outcome of a well-planned conspiracy” by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP-RSS. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also hit out at the BJP, alleging that the government and administration orchestrated the violence to “divert attention from electoral malpractice.”
The BJP responded by accusing the INDIA alliance of attempting to incite unrest following their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The party stated that those dissatisfied with judicial rulings should seek legal remedies. A BJP spokesperson also blamed the “ghamandia alliance”—a term frequently used by party leaders to refer to the INDIA bloc—for provoking the violence.
What Happened in Sambhal?
The unrest began when a large crowd gathered to protest the survey, which was ordered following claims that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple. Protesters attempted to obstruct the survey team, leading to stone-pelting and arson against police vehicles
Authorities deployed tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. There were conflicting reports regarding the source of gunfire; while families of the deceased alleged police firing, officials stated that rioters had used firearms
Government Actions: In response to the violence, local authorities imposed a ban on outsiders entering Sambhal and suspended internet services to prevent further unrest. Schools in the area were closed as a precautionary measure
