Ban on arrival of outsiders till December 10, says UP as Rahul prepares to visit Sambhal | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed restrictions on the entry of outsiders into the violence-hit area Sambhal until December 10, with officials urging Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his planned visit on Wednesday.
Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said there is a need for calm in the region and “any provocation could escalate the situation in the district”.
“The situation in Sambhal is normal at present, but tensions persist,” Singh said. “The district magistrate has banned the entry of people from outside until December 10 to avoid any provocation that could escalate the situation. We request everyone, including the Leader of the Opposition, not to visit Sambhal for the time being so that peace can be fully restored. the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner added.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by five Congress members, will visit the district to meet the victims of the disaster violence which erupted on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of a Mughal-era mosque.
The clashes left five people dead and more than twenty police officers injured. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai suggested that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could also participate in the visit.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi, all UP Congress MPs to visit violence-hit Sambhal tomorrow
However, local authorities have expressed concerns about the impact of such visits. “Although the situation is under control, tensions remain and the presence of outsiders could trigger further disturbances. This decision was based on an assessment by the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police,” Singh said.

Police have so far registered seven FIRs and arrested 30 persons, including three women and three youths. The government has also identified 74 suspects through video footage and eyewitness accounts.
Despite the administration’s warnings, Congress leaders have criticized the restrictions. “The police are stopping us from going to Sambhal. Isn’t it shameful that we can’t control the victims?’ Congress leader Sachin Chaudhary said this.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders have called for an independent judicial inquiry. SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq demanded a committee headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge, while SP chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed the violence was a “pre-planned conspiracy aimed at disrupting the brotherhood”.