'Tear gas lobbed, stones pelted, car set ablaze': Clashes erupt in UP's Sambhal over mosque survey

BAREILLY: In Sambhal, a fresh survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out on Sunday. The survey team arrived at 6am under the supervision of DM Rajendra Pansia, SP Krishna Bishnoi, SDM Vandana Mishra, circle officer Anuj Chaudhary and Tehsildar Ravi Sonkar.

Several teams from the local police, PAC, and Rapid Response Force were stationed at the site to ensure security.
"People amongst the mob opened fire and pelted stones at the police party and we had retaliatory action against them. The mob has also set up our vehicles on fire. We are trying to control the situation."
Sources in police said that extra force has been called from neighbouring districts.
DIG Moradabad Muniraj G is also in Sambhal at present.

Around two hours after the survey began, a group of protesters gathered at the location and began pelting stones at security personnel, leading to injuries among officials.
A policeman and two persons amongst the mob are injured and are taken to the hospital.

The situation was brought under control after police used a lathi-charge and applied force to disperse the crowd.
Videos of the clash have since circulated widely on social media.

The incident follows a petition filed on November 19 by members of the Kela Devi Temple Committee in the Civil Senior Division Court of Chandausi.
The petition alleged that the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal was originally the Shri Harihar Temple, which was converted into a mosque during Babur's rule in 1529.

On the same day, Judge Aditya Singh, Civil Judge (Senior Division), directed a photo and videography survey of the mosque.
A brief survey, lasting one and a half hours was subsequently conducted that evening.


Heavy security arrangements
Amid heavy security arrangements, nearly 5,000 people gathered to offer Friday prayers at the 16th-century Jama Masjid.
A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “The entire area was barricaded to ensure that peace was not disturbed. We had been in touch with police officials deployed earlier in this area to keep a track of anti-social elements as an ‘intelligence’ report suggested that there would be attempts to break communal riots here.”
Given the area's communal sensitivity, authorities are taking significant precautions. The mosque's history includes an incident in 1976 when an imam was killed by a member of another community, leading to widespread violence and a month-long curfew.
The mosque is located roughly 150-200 meters from the 'Kalki' temple.
Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated, “We had deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF), PAC and police force from nearby police stations to maintain law and order in Sambhal. Drone cameras were used to track every movement as well. During the flag march on Thursday, we shared a strong message that if anyone tries to disrupt peace, strict action would be taken. Force will remain deployed near the mosque considering the sensitivity of the court case.”