3 killed as mob opposing mosque survey clashes with police in UP’s Sambhal

Three people were killed in a violent clash in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday after a mob, opposing survey of a mosque, clashed with the police. The survey was initiated following a court order based on a complaint alleging that the Mughals demolished a temple to construct the mosque.
The protesters, numbering in the hundreds, gathered near the Shahi Jama Masjid as the survey team arrived and opposed the move. The situation turned violent as the mob threw stones at the survey team, which was accompanied by heavy police deployment. In retaliation, the police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Those who died were identified as Nauman, Bilal and Naim, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said.
The police have confirmed the deaths but have not disclosed the victims’ identities. While it is alleged that the victims sustained bullet injuries, the police stated that the exact cause of death will only be determined after the autopsy.
“Some people, including two women, were arrested. Women were throwing stones from the roof. So far, three people have died in Sambhal,” Kumar said, adding that around 15 police officers were injured in the incident.
“After the survey was completed, the stone pelting started by three groups from three directions. The police used tear gas and plastic bullets to handle the situation. Another group started setting vehicles on fire and they also began firing. The police were shot in the foot during the firing. Deputy Collector’s got fractured. Circle Officer was injured and around 15 police jawans were injured. Situation is under control. We are speaking to the representatives,” he said.

Tensions escalated in the area on Sunday morning. The head of Jama Masjid made an announcement from within the mosque, urging the crowd gathered outside to disperse, but the protesters refused to comply. Despite attempts by senior police officials to calm the situation, the crowd remained defiant and eventually began pelting stones.
“A survey was being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the court. Some anti-social elements have pelted stones. Police and senior officers were present on the spot. The situation is under control, the police will identify the stone pelters and take appropriate legal action,” Uttar Pradesh top cop Prashant Kumar said.
Sub-Inspector Vikas Nirwal, who was on the spot during the clash, told India Today that the crowd numbered at least 300. He said that the mob targeted the police and their vehicles. Nirwal was also injured in the incident.
Eighteen people have been detained following the clash, and a drone survey has been conducted to trace the protesters, according to the police.
However, despite the violence, the Advocate Commission successfully completed the survey, with the entire process being videographed and photographed, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiyia said. The Commission is set to present its report to the court on November 29.
The survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid was scheduled following a court complaint by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, claiming that the mosque was originally a temple.

The area has witnessed heightened tension over the past few days, and a heavy police force was deployed. Prohibitory orders have also been imposed in the area to prevent any gathering of more than five people.
A similar survey was conducted on November 19, with local police and members of the mosque’s management committee present.
The court complaint by Jain claimed that a temple, Hari Har Mandir, once stood at the site of the mosque and that Mughal emperor Babar partially demolished it in 1529.
Vishnu Jain and his father Hari Shankar Jain have represented the Hindu side in many cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath dispute.
Amid the tensions, on Saturday, the district administration ‘bound down’ 35 people on a bond of up to Rs 10 lakh to maintain peace and order. Authorities order someone to be ‘bound down’ if they receive information that the person is likely to breach the peace, disturb public tranquillity, cause danger to public harmony or commit any wrongful act.