BAREILLY: Three people died and several others, including 20-odd police personnel, were injured when a court-mandated survey at the Mughal-era Jama Masjid in Sambhal spiralled into violent clashes on Sunday morning. Till last reports, three people, including a police officer injured in firing, were reported critical.
Around a dozen people, including two women, have been detained.
The survey was ordered following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, claiming that the mosque was originally a temple.
Mosque Survey ‘Burns’ Sambhal: Shots Fired, Stones Pelted | 3 Killed, 30+ Cops Injured
The survey, conducted by an Archaeological Survey of India team under the supervision of court commissioner Ramesh Singh and in the presence of DM Rajendra Pensia, SP Krishan Kumar, and other officials, began at 7am and initially proceeded peacefully. Around 9am, a mob gathered outside the mosque, allegedly shouting slogans and pelting police personnel with stones.
Divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh said, “A crowd of 2,000-3,000 people gathered and threw stones at police personnel stationed for security. Despite initial efforts to disperse them with tear gas and lathi charges, the mob intensified its attack and started firing from nearby houses, leading to injuries among officers, including the SP’s PRO, SDM Ramesh Babu, and circle officer Anuj Chaudhary, who was hit by bullet pellets.” Singh said the SDM sustained fractures and more than a dozen cops were injured. The mob also set several vehicles ablaze.
The unrest later spread to Deep Sarai, where people allegedly threw stones at police from houses. “Children aged 12-15 were used as shields, and many of the perpetrators were under 25. Several women were also involved,” Singh said.