Internet services have been suspended and schools shut in Sambhal as a precautionary measure following the violent clash that erupted yesterday in the district. Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG), Moradabad Range, Muniraj G on Monday confirmed that the death toll in the Sambhal violence has risen to four following the ruckus and stone pelting incident over an ASI survey of the Mughal-era mosque of the district.

The Sambhal administration has ordered the shutdown of schools for November 25 and the suspension of the internet to prevent the spread of rumours.

Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya’s order stated, “The order will be effective in the Sambhal tehsil area and the decision on further extension will be taken after assessing the situation tomorrow (Monday). Schools will also remain closed under limits of Sambhal Tehsil.”

Security Heightened In Sambhal

Around 20 people have been taken into custody following the alleged stone-pelting and clashes that erupted during a survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday morning, police said.

#WATCH | UP: Security heightened at Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid where an incident of stone pelting took place when a survey team arrived to conduct a survey of the mosque yesterday pic.twitter.com/ySEVozmaxE

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2024

Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi has ensured that situation is under control and additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain the law and order.

“The situation is under control, and more forces have been deployed. Internet services have been suspended for a day. Some people started pelting stones at the police and the police also retaliated. They torched some vehicles and the police were targeted, Police dispersed the crowd. When DM and DIG were patrolling, two women pelted stones at them and firing was done through a country-made weapon and a PRO got shot in the foot,” SP Bishnoi said.

Stone Pelting Amid The Survey

Reportedly, stone-pelting incident occurred when a team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a fresh survey of the mosque. Locals allegedly pelted stones at security personnel and attacked the police force. As a precaution, the police used anti-riot measures, including tear gas, to disperse the crowd.

Officials stated that four senior police officers, around 20 policemen, and a deputy collector were seriously injured as the mob pelted stones at the security force.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Moradabad Range, Muniraj G told ANI, “We have taken 20 people into custody. The survey was conducted as per court orders, with adequate police deployment at the site. Some individuals made children stand in front and started pelting stones at the police. The police tried to control the situation and also appealed to anti-social elements to maintain peace. They also set some vehicles on fire.”

Notably, the survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple.

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