Who Fired The Bullets In UP’s Sambhal That Killed 5? Probe On Amid Conflicting Claims – News18

Last Updated:November 27, 2024, 12:54 IST

Violence in UP’s Sambhal during a court-ordered survey of a mosque has lead to five deaths, and the state government has launched a magisterial inquiry.

Police personnel keep a vigil near Shahi Jama Masjid, in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh (Photo: PTI)

Politics over the deaths of five people in Sambhal violence has deepened after the post-mortem report of the victims suggested most of them died of bullet injuries. This came after Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, on Tuesday, said some rioters in Sambhal were armed.

Pallet guns were primarily used by the police to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. However, authorities were still investigating as to who fired the bullets causing the death of five people.

On Wednesday, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said a knife has also been recovered from the riot-hit area, and that there could be more minors involved in the violence.

“The number of minors involved in the case was three until yesterday. But this number can change. The minor accused are being counselled. We are trying to educate them and make them skilled. We have recovered a knife and will identify the anti-social elements in society and will expose all those who were involved in this conspiracy,” he said.

As the investigations into the case continue, a magisterial enquiry has already been ordered.

Normalcy has started to return to the town days after the violence, which also left some police personnel injured, on November 24. While some shops were opened on Wednesday morning, restrictions were still there as the police continued to keep a close watch on locals and any misinformation being spread.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, several MPs today spoke on the Sambhal violence.

BJP MP Ravi Kishan drew a parallel with Kashmir and alleged the violence was incited by local leaders of the town.

Commenting on the Samajwadi Party (SP) holding local administration responsible, said, “How is the administration responsible? The survey was being done as per the court orders. Suddenly, so many people with arms gathered there. There are visuals of this available. Local leaders of Sambhal incited the people there. The same used to happen in Kashmir,” he said.

On the other hand, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the police have been communalised.

“The Congress party is clear that police have been communalised. The way the Uttar Pradesh Police are acting, like a BJP wing, is unacceptable. The administration is not allowing any delegation to visit the area,” he said.

Also speaking to the media, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, “Innocent people were killed. Such things do not happen in a democratic system. The government has not taken any action against such officials. Our delegation will go there tomorrow and we will raise this issue. If the government does not listen to us then we have no option but to go to court.”

WHAT HAPPENED IN SAMBHAL?

The clashes erupted over a confrontation following a court-ordered survey of the city’s Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area.

The survey was ordered following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.

Subsequently, a large crowd gathered near a mosque and began chanting slogans as a survey team resumed its work.

The situation escalated when the protesters clashed with security personnel, set vehicles on fire, and pelted stones.

So far, police have arrested 25 people and registered seven First Information Reports (FIR)s, which include charges against Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Sohail Iqbal, son of the party’s local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, and over 2,750 unidentified suspects.

POSTERS OF STONE PELTERS TO BE PUT UP

Taking a tough stance over the violence in Sambhal, the Uttar Pradesh government has said it would make protesters involved pay for damage to public property while posters of “stone pelters” will be displayed at public places.

“The UP government is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters of the stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly, and recovery of damages will be sought. A reward may also be announced for information leading to their arrest,” news agency PTI quoted an official spokesperson as saying.

In a similar initiative, the government had previously put up posters of individuals linked to vandalism during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in 2020. These posters were displayed across several locations, including the state capital, but were later removed following a court order.