The Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday released images of individuals believed to be involved in the violence that broke out in Sambhal on November 24, following a court-ordered survey of a mosque. The police shared snapshots from CCTV footage and called on the public to assist in identifying the suspects.
As of now, 27 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest, which left four dead and many injured. Of the arrested individuals, 25 have been sent to jail, while three minors have been placed in juvenile homes.
The Yogi Adityanath government announced plans to display posters featuring the accused in public spaces and hinted at offering rewards for information leading to their identification. The government has also issued an ordinance allowing for the recovery of damages from perpetrators and the public posting of photos of criminals and miscreants.
The violence occurred on Sunday when around 800 people gathered in Sambhal to protest a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century mosque. The petitioners had claimed the mosque was built by demolishing a Hindu temple. Tensions escalated when the protesters clashed with the police.
Also Read: Sambhal Violence: Samajwadi Party MP, MLA’s Son Accused Of Inciting Locals, Says FIR
Multiple FIRs have been filed, with one naming Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, as a key accused. Sohail Iqbal, the son of the local Samajwadi Party MLA Iqbal Mehmood, is also mentioned in the same FIR. Additionally, over 2,750 unidentified individuals have been named in the cases.
According to the police, Barq visited the mosque days before the violence and made inflammatory remarks that fueled the unrest. The police also allege that he mobilized the crowd to create communal tensions for political gain. Another FIR accuses the mob of seizing firearms from the police, using improvised weapons, and attacking officers with the intent to kill.
However, both the Samajwadi Party and the mosque’s management have blamed the police and local authorities for escalating the situation by carrying out the survey.
