Plaint Against SP MP, Four Dead, Prohibitory Orders: Here’s All About The Sambhal Violence Over A Mughal-Era UP Mosque

Bareilly: A day after clashes erupted during the survey of a local mosque following a court order in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, a case was registered against Sambhal MP and Samajwadi Party leader Ziaur Rahman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, the son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood for allegedly orchestrating violence, mobilising crowds, and provoking unrest. Schools remained shut on Monday and mobile internet was suspended. Large gatherings have been banned in Sambhal. According to reports, four people died and several others, including policemen, were injured.

Here’s more about the clash:

• Violence broke out on Sunday after protesters opposed a survey of the local Shahi Masjid. The survey was being conducted by a court-appointed Advocate Commission. The court had ordered the survey following a petition claiming that the Mughal-era mosque was constructed by demolishing a temple at the site.
• The crowd pelted stones and set vehicles on fire. In retaliation, police fired tear gas shells.
• Four people died in the clashes. The deceased have been identified as Nauman, Bilal, Naim, and Mohd Kaif. It had been alleged that the victims sustained bullet injuries. But cops said the exact cause of death would be ascertained and confirmed after autopsy.
• Police counter-alleged that shots were fired by some protesters. It had also been alleged that a police officer had suffered a gunshot wound. Another officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured.
• Videos surfaced on social media showing how the protesters pelted stones at the cops from buildings in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
• The local administration has banned purchasing or stockpiling of stones, soda bottles, or any flammable or explosive materials. Any outsider, social organisation or public representative has also been banned from entering the area without prior approval till November 30.
• A political blame game started after the clash. Opposition parties slamming the BJP. Congress alleged that the police directly fired on the protesters and termed it to be a ‘well-planned conspiracy’ by the BJP-RSS. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had also dismissed the charges against party MP Barq.
• The BJP alleged that the INDIA alliance had been trying to create unrest since the failure in the Lok Sabha polls.