Sambhal (UP): The Sambhal district administration in Uttar Pradesh ordered a 24-hour suspension of internet services following violent clashes over a mosque survey, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
According to local media reports, the violence erupted after a survey team acting on a court order attempted to assess the Jama Masjid in Sambhal. The court-ordered survey was part of a larger dispute, with some claiming that the mosque was originally the site of the now-dismantled Harihar temple.
Tensions escalated when protestors reportedly pelted stones at police officers who had arrived at the mosque in compliance with the court’s directive. The court of Civil Judge Senior Division in Sambhal, located in Chandausi, instructed the survey to to be conducted and ordered a report to be submitted ahead of a hearing set for November 29. The case arose after claims from Mahant Rishi Raj Giri of the Kaila Devi temple and other litigants, who allege that the Jama Masjid was originally a Hindu temple.
In response to the violence, local authorities have tightened security around the Jama Masjid. Police sources confirmed that a team led by Court Commissioner Ramesh Raghav carried out the survey on November 19, as mandated by the court.
With the situation remaining tense, the district administration has also announced the closure of local schools to prevent further disturbances.
The suspension of internet services is part of a wider effort to contain the unrest and prevent the spread of rumours and inflammatory content. Local officials have urged residents to remain calm as investigations into the incident continue.
The clash has further fueled tensions in the region, highlighting the ongoing religious and cultural disputes in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as they prepare for the next court hearing later this month.
According to the media reports, a case has been registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) MP and son of a local MLA in connection with the violence that occurred in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal region during the survey of a mosque, media reports said.
Police sources told UNI that in the report filed after the ruckus and disturbance, a case has been registered against Sambhal SP MP Ziaur Rahman Warq and SP MLA Nawab Iqbal’s son Sohail Iqbal on the charge of inciting violence.
