On November 24, the town of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh witnessed a violent eruption when a large mob turned aggressive during a court-ordered survey at the Jama Masjid. The situation escalated when approximately 2,000 individuals gathered outside the mosque, with reports suggesting that many others from neighboring areas joined the commotion. The angry mob, unwilling to disperse upon the police’s request, resorted to stone pelting and arson, setting vehicles ablaze and creating chaos.

The authorities initially attempted to manage the crowd through non-lethal means such as tear gas and a lathi charge, but the situation soon spiraled out of control. Shots were reportedly fired at the police by the mob, leading to a severe escalation of violence. In the resulting clash, four rioters were reportedly killed, marking a grim outcome of the unrest.

The violence left a trail of destruction and injuries, with over 20 police personnel, including the SP, the SP’s PRO, and CO Anuj Choudhary, sustaining injuries. The severity of the attack highlighted the volatility of the situation, as law enforcement faced extreme hostility while attempting to enforce the court order.

Internet Suspended, Schools Closed in Sambhal After Violence

In response to the intense violence that unfolded in Sambhal on November 24, authorities have taken stringent measures to maintain law and order. As a precautionary step, internet services in the district have been suspended for 24 hours. Schools up to the 12th standard will remain closed on November 25, ensuring the safety of students and staff amidst the volatile situation.

To further contain the unrest, the district has been sealed until December 1, with strict orders prohibiting entry to outsiders. Although no official curfew has been declared, the atmosphere in Sambhal strongly resembles one. Barricades have been set up on all three main roads leading to the Jama Masjid, restricting movement and securing the area to prevent further escalation. 

Police: Deaths Were Not Caused by Police Fire, Only Rubber Bullets Used

The tragic death of four individuals during the Sambhal violence has sparked controversy, with families of the deceased alleging that the deaths resulted from police firing. However, Moradabad Commissioner Anjney Kumar Singh has categorically denied these claims. “The deaths are due to firing from the rioters’ side,” he clarified in his statement, asserting that the police only used rubber bullets to control the mob.

The individuals who lost their lives in the mayhem have been identified as 23-year-old Bilal, 50-year-old Romaan, 30-year-old Naeem, and 18-year-old Kaif. Commissioner Singh questioned the allegations made by the families, asking, “If the families accusing police of opening fire at the mob are accepting the fact that their family members were out there pelting stones at the police.”

‘Women Were Pelting Stones From Rooftops’: Moradabad Commissioner Questions Families’ Role in Violence

Moradabad Commissioner Anjney Kumar Singh brought attention to a startling element of the Sambhal violence: women actively participating in stone pelting from rooftops. “Women were throwing stones from rooftops,” he said, pointing out the unusual involvement of family members in such chaos. Two women were specifically seen hurling stones at law enforcement officers, further escalating the already tense situation.

Singh stressed that violence would only lead to personal ruin, urging the public to resolve disputes through legal avenues. He appealed for calm, emphasizing, “Do not engage in violence, as it would ruin your lives.” Clarifying the police’s approach, he stated that officers were equipped solely with riot-control gear, including rubber bullets as permitted by protocol. “The police would not shoot themselves in the foot,” Singh remarked, highlighting that the SP’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) had been hit by a bullet and another policeman had suffered shrapnel wounds during the unrest.

SP: NSA to Be Imposed on Rioters; Investigation Into Conspiracy Underway

Speaking to ANI, SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi corroborated Singh’s statements, revealing that women were indeed among the stone-pelters. Bishnoi assured that “strict action will be taken against the mobsters, and NSA will be imposed on the persons involved in violence.” An FIR has already been registered, and investigations are ongoing to uncover whether a conspiracy was behind the incident.

Explaining the sequence of events, Bishnoi detailed, “The situation is under control, and additional forces have been deployed. Internet services have been suspended for a day. Some individuals began pelting stones at the police, who then responded in kind. They set a few vehicles on fire and targeted the police.” He further stated that while the District Magistrate (DM) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) were patrolling the area, two women targeted them with stones.

The mob also resorted to firing with country-made pistols, resulting in injuries to the SP’s PRO, who was struck in the leg. Describing the incident as “highly unfortunate,” Bishnoi reiterated that action under the National Security Act (NSA) would be taken against those responsible. He confirmed that 20 to 22 police personnel were injured during the violence, and authorities are thoroughly examining the mobile phones of detained individuals to identify potential conspirators.

Amidst the intense fallout of the Sambhal violence, the family of Naeem, one of the deceased rioters, denied his involvement in the mayhem. A relative stated, “He went out to buy refined oil, saying a curfew might be imposed. He was not out to participate in the violence.” However, Naeem’s acknowledgment of a possible curfew highlights that he was aware of the charged atmosphere, which raises questions about his presence during the violent clash.

DGP Assures Severe Action Against Radicals

Speaking to the media, DGP Prashant Kumar addressed the Sambhal unrest and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to maintaining law and order. “We are closely monitoring everything. Police and administrative officials are on the ground managing the situation. They are patrolling the affected areas,” he stated. Kumar strongly emphasized that “anti-social elements will soon be identified and strict action will be taken against them.”

To prevent further incidents, additional police forces have been deployed near the Jama Masjid, the focal point of the violence. Kumar assured that all steps are being taken to ensure accountability, adding that officials are carefully monitoring activities in the area.

Court-Ordered Survey at Jama Masjid Sparks Radical Outburst

The violence erupted following a court-mandated survey conducted at the Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 19. This survey was ordered by the court in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and seven co-plaintiffs, who argued that the mosque was built on land belonging to a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The site is protected under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904.

Supervised by the Advocate Commission, the survey was conducted amidst heavy police deployment to ensure safety and prevent disruptions. However, despite the precautions, tensions rose as locals gathered outside the mosque and raised religious slogans to protest the survey. The District Magistrate confirmed that the survey was successfully completed within two hours. “A report will be submitted to the Civil Court, which will review it on the next date of hearing, 29th November 2024,” the DM stated.

According to the petition, the plaintiffs’ claims about the site’s historical significance make the survey findings critical to the case. However, radicals opposing the judicial process resorted to violence, stone-pelting, and targeting law enforcement, undermining lawful proceedings.