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

A complaint, filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, claimed that Mughal emperor Babar demolished a temple, Hari Har Mandir, which once stood at the site of the Shahi Masjid in UP's Sambhal.

In Short

• Complaint claims mosque in Sambhal was originally a temple
• Mob oppose survey, clash with police, firing reported
• 21 people arrested, several police officers injured

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.

HOW DID THE INCIDENT OCCUR?

Describing the scenes leading to the incident, Sambhal District Magistrate said, "The management committee was called yesterday. The advocate commissioner was there and there were two lawyers of the plaintiff. It started at 7:30 am and ended at 10 pm. There were no stones thrown at them."

"We had made more security arrangements than what our intelligence had told us. There was no stone pelting till 9:15 am. As soon as the announcement was made from the mosque that the survey was complete, people started to throw stones and firing took place. There were no namazis either. Everything is normal now and we have zero tolerance against such miscreants," he said.

The official said a magisterial inquiry will be conducted into the matter.

On his part, the Sambhal Superintendent of Police said the police officials did not use any weapons that would cause risk to people's lives.

"The police and intelligence were aware of it (on the possibility of violence during the survey). We had made full deployment. This is not an intelligence or security failure. We said that the gathering is illegal," he said.

"The firing took place during the clashes. Shells of .32 bore and .15 bore were found. At least 21 people were taken into custody. We recovered weapons from some homes. Shots were fired from the mosque roof where the DM and other officials," he said.

The police official said an FIR was filed and said the district administration was urged to shut down the internet for 24 hours.

WHY WAS THE SURVEY ORDERED?

The survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid was ordered following a court complaint by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, claiming that the mosque was originally a temple.

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.

A similar survey was conducted on November 19, with local police and members of the mosque’s management committee present. Before today's incident, prohibitory orders had been imposed in the area to prevent any gathering of more than five people.

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.

Despite the violence, the survey at the mosque was conducted, with the entire process being videographed and photographed, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiyia said. The Advocate Commission, which conducted the survey, is set to present its report to the court on November 29.

(with inputs from PTI)