Uttar Pradesh: Violence broke out in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, after a group of people pelted stones at a team who came to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid. Vehicles were also set on fire, with police deploying tear gas to control the situation.
According to visuals released by ANI, the police were seen shouting at the group, urging them to stop pelting stones at the survey team.
The survey team arrived at 6 am, under the supervision of DM Rajendra Pansia, SP Krishna Bishnoi, SDM Vandana Mishra, Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, and Tehsildar Ravi Sonkar, reported TOI.
The survey comes days after advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, had filed a petition in the court of the civil judge at Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, claiming that the Shahi Jama Masjid was a temple. Following his petition, a survey, similar to the one on Sunday, was carried out November 19, in the presence of the local police and members of the mosque’s management committee, reported ANI.
Despite the violence, the Advocate Commission successfully completed the survey, with the entire process being videographed and photographed, said Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiyia. The Commission is set to present its report to the court on November 29, reported PTI.
Director General of Police (DGP) UP, Prashant Kumar said that the situation is under control now. "A survey is being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the court. Some anti-social elements have pelted stones. Police and senior officers are present on the spot. The situation is under control, the police will identify the stone pelters and take appropriate legal action," news wire ANI quoted the DGP as saying.
Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district has seen heightened tension in recent days, leading to the deployment of a heavy police force. Prohibitory orders have also been enforced to prevent gatherings of more than five people.
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