Sambhal violence: UP police stop Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi at Ghazipur border; massive jam in Delhi-Meerut Expressway

Uttar Pradesh police have stopped the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi,  Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders at Ghazipur while they were en route to violence-hit Sambhal. Security measures by the Uttar Pradesh police to stop the Congress leaders have caused massive traffic blocks on the Delhi-Meerut expressway.

A Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi started to Sambhal from Delhi on Wednesday to visit families affected by the recent clashes in the town. Police authorities have stopped the leaders from visiting the violence-hit district citing prohibitory orders. 

The Sambhal district administration has prohibited entry of outsiders into Sambhal till December 10 to maintain law and order in the region. Violent clashes erupted in Sambhal on November 24 after a survey team visited the Shahi Jama Masjid for the second time following a local court’s order. The court ordered a survey of the Mughal-era mosque after a petition was moved before it claiming the mosque was constructed demolishing a temple which stood there.

As many as four persons got killed in the clashes that erupted over the survey and over 20 persons including police personnel suffered injuries. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member judicial commission to conduct a thorough probe into the incident.

On Monday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue in Lok Sabha and charged there was a conspiracy behind the attacks. Yadav charged the attacks were well-planned and demanded action against the district administration.  Opposition members also staged a brief walkout from the house over the issue.