The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to recover the cost of damages to public property from protestors involved in the Sambhal violence. The posters of stone pelters will also be displayed at prominent public locations.
In Sambhal’s Kot Garvi area, a court ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid prompted by a petition claiming a Harihar temple once stood at the site resulted in a massive violence, leaving four people dead and several injured.
Reportedly, an official spokesperson of the Uttar Pradesh government said that the state is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. The official stated that the posters of stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly, and recovery of damages will be sought. Furthermore, a reward may also be announced for information leading to their arrest.
Notably, the government had earlier displayed posters of individuals accused of vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in 2020, putting them across key locations including the state capital. Nonetheless, the posters were eventually taken down following a court directive.
Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal witnessed massive violence on Sunday when a large crowd assembled near a mosque and began chanting slogans as a survey team resumed its work. The situation intensified as protesters clashed with security forces, allegedly set vehicles ablaze and hurled stones.
Reports said that the Police have arrested 25 individuals and registered seven FIRs, naming Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Sohail Iqbal, son of the party’s local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, together with more than 2,750 unidentified suspects.
Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry is ongoing, and superintendent of police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi confirmed on Monday that the situation is now under control, ensuring that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the unrest.
The opposition parties have slammed the ruling BJP at both the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh following Sunday’s violence. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the state government of staging a riot, while senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed that the ruling party was fueling divisions between Hindus and Muslims.