India
Sambhal violence: Giriraj Singh blames opposition for attempts to ‘burn the nation’; NSA invoked against rioters – top developments | India News – Times of India
Clashes during a court-ordered investigation in the Mughal era Jama Masjid On Sunday, three people were killed and more than twenty police officers were injured. A fourth injured person died on Monday.
Strict security measures, including prohibitory orders and internet suspension, have been implemented in Sambhal to prevent further escalation. The entry of outsiders into Sambhal is banned till November 30.
A magistrate’s inquiry has also been ordered into the violence.
Police have filed seven FIRs in connection with the violence, naming Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son Sohail Iqbal as accused.
Top development in Sambhal violence
Changing Sambhal in Bangladesh: Giriraj Singh
By the evening, the situation was under control, with internet services suspended and additional troops deployed. Authorities have invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against those involved in the violence.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh blamed the opposition, saying, “This incident happened because of opposition… They want to burn the country… turn Sambhal into Bangladesh.”
Singh added: “This incident happened because of opposition; it is a pre-planned strategy of the opposition, like the Godhra incident. This was not an attack on the investigation team, but on the Constitution of India and democracy. They want to burn the country…they want to make Sambhal into Bangladesh. Those who died were shot by the attackers, not the police. The autopsy clearly shows… The country will not tolerate this.”
Riot orchestrated by the government: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that the Sambhal incident was a riot orchestrated by the government.
“Our MP Zia ur Rahman was not even in Sambhal during the incident and despite that, an FIR was lodged against him. A police officer told you to stop asking for help from the government; who was that intended for? Sad to know about the young people who died in this incident. From all the videos we have, we know it was a government riot. The government plundered votes and played Sambhal with the EVM machines because they did not want to get caught,” he alleged.
FIRs against SP leaders, 25 arrested
Police have filed seven FIRs following violence over the court-ordered probe of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, naming SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son Sohail Iqbal as suspects. The clashes, which started on Sunday, left four people dead and several injured, including police and civil servants. Officials attributed the unrest to provocative comments made by Barq earlier.
Prohibitory orders have been issued under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, banning the entry of outsiders until November 30. Internet services remain suspended and a magisterial investigation is underway. Authorities have arrested 25 people and efforts are underway to identify others. The violence reportedly involved 2,750 unidentified people.
The investigation, ordered after a petition claimed the mosque stood on a demolished temple site, sparked protests on Sunday. Heavy police deployment continues in Sambhal and normalcy is gradually returning, except near the mosque.
Meanwhile, SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, who denied the charge against him, said: “The incident carried out by the police administration in Sambhal has shocked the entire humanity and tarnished the image of the state and the country… Yesterday I was not even present in the state, let alone Sambhal. I had gone to Bengaluru to attend the meeting of the India Muslim Personal Law Board.”
Violence during a court-ordered investigation
The investigation, started at 7 am under court commissioner Ramesh Singh and subdistrict court judge Rajendra Pensiawas conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) following a petition claiming that the mosque was originally a temple. Although the initial proceedings were peaceful, violence erupted around 9 a.m. when a crowd of 3,000 people gathered, reportedly pelting stones and shooting at police.
Department Commissioner Aunjaneya Singh stated: “Despite initial attempts to disperse them with tear gas and lathi charges, the mob intensified its attack and started shooting from nearby houses, leading to injuries among the officers.”
Victims and claims
Three persons, identified as Mohd Nayeem, Mohd Bilal and Mohd Nauman, were killed in the clashes.
Families claimed police shooting was responsible, while Bilal’s brother claimed: ‘My brother was shot dead by a circle officer Anuj Chaudhary.”
Singh refuted the claims and claimed, “We have videographic evidence… Police responded to the firing from both sides to ensure the safety of the investigation team.”
Damage to mosque disputed
Concerns about damage to the mosque were dismissed by officials, who confirmed the investigation did not change the structure. Singh said: “While stone pelting near the mosque may have caused some damage, it is unclear… The investigation was conducted peacefully.”
The probe was ordered following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, alleging that the mosque was originally a temple. The probe was conducted by an ASI team under the supervision of Judicial Commissioner Ramesh Singh and in the presence of District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia, SP Krishan Kumar and other officials. The investigation began at 7 a.m. and was initially peaceful.
Around 9 a.m., a crowd gathered outside the mosque, reportedly shouting slogans and throwing stones at police personnel. Police responded with tear gas and lathi charges, but the situation escalated when the crowd reportedly started shooting at officers and setting vehicles on fire.
Describing the sequence of events, Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Singh said: “The investigation lasted peacefully for two hours but around 9 am, a crowd of nearly 2,000 to 3,000 people gathered and started throwing stones at the police personnel stationed for security.
Despite initial attempts to disperse them with tear gas and lathi charges, the mob intensified its attack and started firing from nearby houses, leading to injuries among officers including SP PRO SDM Ramesh Babu and circle officer Anuj Chaudhary , who was hit by bullet pellets.” Singh added that the SDM suffered fractures and more than a dozen police officers were injured during the violence.
NSA called on rioters
“Vehicles were set on fire and additional troops were called in from neighboring districts to control the situation,” Singh said. The investigation team was safely evacuated from the area and internet services in the district were suspended on Sunday evening.
