Shahi Jama Masjid row: Survey team face stone pelting, police use tear gas to disperse protesters

A survey team that reached Shahi Jama Masjid site in Sambhal district on Sunday amid heavy police security faced stone-pelting and stern opposition from protesters, forcing police to use tear gas to control the situation. This is the second survey being conducted at the site following a lower court’s order on a petition claiming the mosque was originally a temple.

According to officials, the survey team reached the site at about 7.30am in the morning amid strong police protection to conduct the survey. Despite heavy police presence, protesters pelted stones at the survey team. Police officials said the situation is under control at the moment.

Uttar Pradesh state police chief Prashant Kumar said, "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,” ANI reported.

A survey is being carried out at the site after senior advocate  Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is also presenting the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, petitioned with a local court that the Mughal-era mosque was constructed partially demolishing a temple. Hearing the petition, the court ordered a survey of the mosque site. Jain had said, “The Harihar temple in Sambhal, we all know, is a central part of our faith. This is an ASI-protected area. There can be no encroachment of any kind in the ASI-protected area. There are many signs and symbols there which are of the Hindu temple.”

On Tuesday, a survey was conducted at the site amid heavy police deployment. Ahead of the survey, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders in the area and police personnel conducted a flag march.