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“The SP, DM and DIG were discussing opening fire on the public. I saw the police firing at the public. They were using real guns. I am an eyewitness to this,” lawyer and mosque committee chief Zafar Ali alleged at a press conference on Monday, November 25.
At least five people, all Muslims, have been killed in firing in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday after the community protested against the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid ordered by a civil court in response to a petition claiming It was said that the mosque was the predecessor. Location of Harihar Temple.
More than 15 police officers have also been injured in the firing, with a police PRO reportedly shot in the leg. Even a day after the incident, the situation in the district remains tense.
Area District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia had issued an order on November 24, banning the entry of outsiders, political organizations and public representatives into the Sambhal border without the permission of the authorities till November 30. Internet services in the area have also been stopped for a day.
Four of those killed have been identified as Naeem, Bilal, Ayaan and Kaif. The fifth death was confirmed on Monday evening.
Seven First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed in the case and at least 25 people have been arrested. Let’s take a look at what happened in Sambhal on Sunday, what led to the clash and what action has been taken so far:
‘Petition claims temple existed at Jama Masjid site, court orders survey’
A petition was filed in the court of the civil judge at Chandausi by Mahant Rishiraj Giri of the local Kaila Devi temple claiming that the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal was the predecessor site of the Harihar temple.
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain had filed the petition on November 19 on behalf of Mahant and seven others. Jain is also a lawyer in the Gyanvapi Masjid case of Varanasi.
The same day, the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh accepted the petition and ordered a survey of the Mughal-era mosque by Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Raghav.
“We had no information that the survey was being conducted. The court ordered the survey to be conducted at 4:30 pm. The surveyors began their work at 6 pm the same day. How did they get permission within a few hours?” asked Masjid Sadar chief and Shahi Masjid committee chief Zafar Ali.
Ali said the petitioners sought a second survey, saying they could not complete the first survey because it was dark and there were too many people. “However, they did not take permission from the court to organize the second event,” he alleged.
‘It is rumored that Jama Masjid is being dug which led to clashes’
During the press conference on Monday, Ali claimed that Sambhal SDM Vandana Mishra and CO Anuj Kumar told him late on Saturday night that a second survey would be conducted the next morning. He alleged that even though he did not give ‘no-objection’, they went ahead.
“On Sunday morning, the area was cordoned off by the police. The SDM insisted on emptying water into the hauz (water tank or reservoir), while the SP and DM said the measurement could be done using a stick. Soon, rumors spread that Jama Masjid was being dug without court permission, leading to panic and crowding,” Ali claimed.
Moradabad divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh told reporters on Sunday that the survey was being conducted “peacefully” with “adequate police force deployed” when “2,000-3,000 people gathered” and started pelting stones. Three to four vehicles were also burnt during the violence.
Singh said police used tear gas and plastic bullets to control the situation.
“The other group started setting vehicles on fire, they also started firing. During the firing, the police PRO got shot in the leg. The Deputy Collector has suffered a fracture. The CO was hit by shrapnel and around 15 police personnel were injured,” Singh had told the media.
‘Why would people of the community shoot at each other?’
Ali told reporters on Monday that the administration kept him in the dark and misled him about whether the survey would be conducted and at what time.
“People gathered because they felt that Jama Masjid was being excavated. When some of them asked the CO what was happening, he started abusing, threatening and lathicharged them. SDM and CO are alone responsible for creating fear and panic.
Meanwhile, Singh told reporters on Monday that suddenly a crowd gathered and started pelting stones. He said that in the post-mortem of the four people killed in the firing, cartridges used in country-made guns were found.desi katta,
However, Ali alleged that the police also had country-made guns. “Do people die from rubber bullets? The post-mortem has revealed the use of country-made pistol. Why would people of the community open fire on each other?” he asked.
Ali said that he was present there when the SP, DM and DIG were discussing firing on the public.
“I appealed to the public to go back as the police had received orders to open fire. While many people left, some stayed back, worried that Jama Masjid was being dug up,” he claimed.
‘Investigation continues, NSA may be imposed’
Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh told the media on Monday that the investigation is ongoing and strict National Security Act (NSA) may also be imposed.
District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia and Superintendent of Police (SP) Sambhal Krishna Kumar Bishnoi addressed the media about the situation following the recent violence that broke out over the survey of Jama Masjid.
Over 2,500 unidentified people, including reportedly at least 500 minors, have been named in the FIR and charged under serious sections of the IPC.
Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Burke, belonging to Samajwadi Party (SP), has been named in one of the FIRs lodged at Ekta Chowki police station. Sohail Iqbal, son of Sambhal MLA and SP leader Iqbal Mehmood, is also named in the same FIR. Both the leaders have been accused of inciting violence.
Samajwadi Party chief and Kannauj MP Akhilesh Yadav held the petitioners and the administration responsible for the tense situation in Sambhal. He alleged that the police responded to the stone pelting by locals “by opening fire with their official and personal weapons; Whose video recording is available.”
Reacting to the arrest of his party leaders, Yadav said, ‘Our MP Zia ur Rehman was not even in Sambhal and yet an FIR was registered against him.’
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also tweeted on the incident, saying, “The administration’s insensitive action without listening to all stakeholders worsened the situation and led to the death of many people – for which the BJP government is directly responsible.” Is.”
The partiality and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent controversy in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is extremely unfortunate. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in violence and firing.
The action taken by the administration without listening to all the parties and insensitively has created an atmosphere and…
—Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 25 November 2024
The next hearing in the case is on November 29.
