Rumours about digging in Jama Masjid, taking out water from wuzu khana…what led to violence in Sambhal?

The SDM was adamant on draining wuzu (ablution) water from the mosque.

New Delhi: The situation in violence hit Sambhal remains tense after the clash that erupted over the survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. There is a heavy police presence in the area. Meanwhile, Jama Masjid Sadar and advocate Zafar Ali alleged that the administration is responsible for the current situation in the city. He claimed that during the survey, the SDM was adamant on draining wuzu (ablution) water from the mosque, due to which some misinformation and rumours spread outside following which a crowd gathered at the site.

According to Zafar Ali, due to the action of SDM Sambhal, people got angry and gathered in large numbers outside the mosque. Whatever happened was due to the conspiracy of the CO and SDM. The crowd got the misconception that digging was going on inside, which led to this situation.

“The survey of the mosque was completed on 19 November itself, but the CO and SDM said that they will conduct the survey again. Suddenly, we were told about another survey was to be conducted on Sunday (November 24). I appealed to the people from the mosque because I was asked by the SP and DM to persuade the crowd. But then I heard the SP, DIG, and DM discussing about the shooting. On my appeal, about 75 percent of the people had left the scene while only a few were left,” said Zafar Ali.

Police statement on Sambhal violence

According to Morabad Range DIG Muniraj, 21 people, including two women, have been detained. Police say that anyone against whom the case is found will be arrested. NSA will also be imposed.

At the same time, four people have died in the clashes that took place on Sunday, November 24, while 20 policemen and 4 officers are injured. During the raid, the police recovered live cartridges including some illegal weapons from different places. At present, police force from 30 police stations of the entire Moradabad range are deployed in Sambhal. PAC and RAF have also been stationed. Internet, schools, and colleges are closed.

Case registered against 800

The police have registered seven FIRs in the Sambhal violence case. A total of 800 miscreants have been booked. A case has also been registered against Sambhal SP MP Ziaur Rehman Barq and local MLA’s son Sohail Iqbal. CCTVs are being scanned to identify the miscreants. Apart from this, photos of miscreants have also been taken from the drone. Section 163 (formerly 144) is currently in force in Sambhal and there is a ban on the entry of outsiders in the district till December 1.

After the order of the district court, survey work was going on inside the Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal again on Sunday. But during this survey, suddenly a large number of people gathered outside the mosque and started sloganeering. After this, they started pelting stones at the police team and set fire to the vehicles. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

A complaint has been filed with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding the violence.