Prohibitory orders imposed in Sambhal after deadly clashes over mosque survey

Internet suspended, no outsiders allowed to enter as security heightened in UP’s Sambhal

In the aftermath of violent clashes in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday, authorities have implemented strict security measures and imposed prohibitory orders to restore order. The violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid, which is at the center of a contentious legal dispute over claims it was built on the site of a Hindu temple.

The violence left four youths dead and dozens, including over 20 police officers, injured. In response, the government has shut down schools and colleges in the region, suspended internet services, and imposed restrictions on public movement. As of Monday, no outsiders are allowed to enter Sambhal and public gatherings are banned. Additionally, public representatives have been prohibited from visiting the area, and the restrictions will remain in place until December 1.

Local authorities also reported the discovery of weapons at the homes of some of the 21 individuals arrested for their involvement in the violence. Among the arrested, two women are included, and further arrests are expected as police continue to use CCTV footage to identify others involved in the clashes.

The violence began when a large crowd gathered near the mosque in response to the survey team’s actions. The team, led by an ‘Advocate Commissioner,’ had arrived to survey as part of a legal process initiated by a petition arguing that the mosque had been built on the ruins of a Hindu temple destroyed by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529. As the crowd grew to nearly a thousand people, tensions escalated when some members of the crowd threw stones at the police and set fire to more than ten police vehicles.

To control the situation, the police fired tear gas, but in the ensuing chaos, four people were killed. The violence also left more than 20 police officers injured, along with several others in the crowd.

The court-ordered survey is part of an ongoing legal battle, with petitioners citing historical texts such as the “Baburnama” and “Ain-e-Akbari” to support claims of a Hindu temple’s destruction.

Survey supporters view it as an essential step in uncovering historical truths, while critics argue that it infringes on the sanctity of religious sites, as protected by the Places of Worship Act, of 1991.

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