Sambhal: Around 20 people have been detained after alleged stone-pelting and clashes broke out during a survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal on Sunday morning. Three people were killed and around two dozen people, including policemen and senior officials, were injured in the incident. Officials said those responsible for the violence will be charged under the National Security Act (NSA). As a precautionary measure, internet services have been suspended for a day across the district.

20 people were taken into custody in Sambhal violence

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Moradabad range, Muniraj G said that we have detained 20 people. The survey was conducted as per the court order, with adequate police deployment at the site. Some persons made children stand in front and started pelting stones at the police. The police tried to control the situation and also appealed to the anti-social elements to maintain peace. They also set some vehicles on fire. The police used anti-riot measures, including tear gas, to disperse the crowd.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said that additional policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order. He further said that the alleged firing, in which a police PRO was injured, was done using a country-made weapon. The situation is under control, and more forces have been deployed. Internet services have been suspended for a day...some people started pelting stones at the police and the police also retaliated. They set some vehicles on fire and the police were targeted...the police dispersed the mob...when the DM and DIG were patrolling, two women pelted stones at them, and firing was done with a country-made weapon and a PRO was shot in the leg. SP Bishnoi said that it is very unfortunate...an FIR has been registered under relevant sections, and strict action will be taken under the NSA. We are also investigating if there was any conspiracy by checking the mobile phones of those detained in connection with the violence.

Stones were also pelted on the survey team and security personnel

In. view of the violence, the district administration has issued a notice prohibiting citizens from buying or collecting stones, soda bottles , or any inflammable or explosive material on rooftops. The notice issued by the local SDM warns that strict action will be taken against anyone violating this order. Also, the Municipal Corporation has been instructed to immediately seize any construction material lying on the roads. The stone pelting incident took place when a team reached Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a new survey of the mosque. Locals, including those opposing the survey, allegedly pelted stones at the survey team and security personnel.

Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh said that after the survey was completed, three groups started pelting stones from different directions. The mob set vehicles on fire and opened fire. The police responded with tear gas and plastic bullets to control the situation. During the firing, the police PRO was shot in the leg. The Deputy Collector's leg was fractured. The Circle Officer (CO) was injured. A total of three people have been confirmed dead in the firing. The situation is under control and we are talking to their representatives. He said that the deceased have been identified as Naeem, a resident of Court Karvi, Bilal, a resident of Sarai Tareen, Sambhal and Noman, a resident of Hayatnagar Sarai Tareen. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident.

Officials said that a team of ASI had reached Shahi Jama Masjid to re-survey the structure. The survey of the mosque was being carried out peacefully in the presence of the police force following the court order, when a crowd gathered there and started pelting stones at the survey team and security personnel. As per the court's direction, the survey was carried out between 7 am and 11 am. The process was initially peaceful with adequate police deployment. However, some people started pelting stones and the police dispersed them. Then, a large crowd of 2000-3000 people gathered and started pelting stones again. The survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed that the mosque was originally a temple. A similar survey was carried out on November 19 in the presence of local police and members of the mosque's management committee.