November 25, 2024: A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed in connection with the violent protests that erupted in Sambhal district on Sunday, claiming the lives of four individuals and leaving dozens injured. The FIR names Samajwadi Party (SP) Member of Parliament (MP) Ziaur Rahman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, the son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, as the primary accused for allegedly instigating the unrest.
According to the authorities, Barq and Sohail are accused of fueling tensions among the protesters, leading to clashes following a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey, which was mandated by a civil court after a petition claimed the mosque was built over a demolished Hindu temple in 1529, had already sparked controversy. The situation escalated when a large crowd gathered near the mosque on Sunday afternoon after the survey was completed. The protesters began shouting slogans and throwing stones, prompting the police to deploy force, including lathi charges and tear gas shells, to disperse the mob.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sambhal Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, in a press briefing on Monday, confirmed that the violence appeared to be premeditated, with rioters reportedly coming from nearby areas, some as far as 10-15 kilometers away. He added that video footage from CCTV cameras would be used to identify and arrest those responsible for the violence. As of now, 25 individuals have been arrested, and the authorities are actively working to apprehend more suspects.
In addition to Barq and Sohail, the FIR names four other individuals and includes a staggering 2,750 unnamed suspects. A total of seven FIRs have been registered in relation to the incident, which has left the district on edge.
To maintain order, the district administration has imposed strict prohibitory measures, including a ban on the entry of outsiders into Sambhal until November 30. Internet services in Sambhal tehsil have also been suspended to prevent the spread of misinformation. Furthermore, all schools in the district were declared closed for the day.