Prohibitory orders are in place near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal after violence broke out on Sunday following an ASI survey of the Mughal-era mosque. The district administration issued orders barring entry of outsiders till November 30 in the area after three people were killed in the violence.
The order issued by District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya late on Sunday came into force with immediate effect on Sunday. "No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," said the order.
#WATCH | UP: Security heightened at Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid where an incident of stone pelting took place when a survey team arrived to conduct a survey of the mosque yesterday pic.twitter.com/ySEVozmaxE
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2024
Meanwhile, security has been tightened near the mosque premises with extra police force deployed for the purpose. Videos from Sambhal showed police personnel patrolling the area armed with two-way radios for communication, security batons, flashlights, firearms, vehicle barriers and metal detectors. Internet services have also been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and schools shut for Monday.
Also read: 3 killed, over 20 cops among injured as violence erupts in UP’s Sambhal during mosque survey
The violence broke out on Sunday after a group of people protested the survey of the mosque. They clashed with security personnel who resorted to tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. Three people were dead and over 20 police personnel were injured.
The protesters also torched vehicles and pelted the police with stones.
"Shots were fired by miscreants... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence," Divisional Commissioner (Moradabad) Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said on Sunday,
While two deaths were due to bullet wounds from countrymade pistols, the reason for the third death is unclear.
However, the survey of the mosque was, however, successfully completed despite the chaos on Sunday. The survey was ordered by a local court on November 19 following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site. The area has been on the boil since then.
Survey report on November 29
Senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said the survey report will be submitted before the court by November 29. He added that all features were examined, and the videography and photography as directed by the Court were completed.
