Sambhal Clashes: A case has been registered against Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and MLA Nawab Iqbal Mahmood’s son Nawab Suhail Iqbal a day after violence broke out during a court-ordered survey of Mughal-era Jama Masjid in Sambhal. The Superintendent of Police said seven cases have been registered in two police stations.
The toll in the clashes between police and protesters opposing the survey rose to four following the death of one more injured person, officials said on Monday. The district administration has already imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30.
Barq alleged the incident was pre-planned and people from the Muslim community were being targeted. “This has not happened after independence, DM and SP should have conducted a survey. We were not allowed to read Jumme ki Namaaz, these people had arrived shouting Jai Shri Ram slogans,” he said.
Barq earlier appealed to the people in his constituency to maintain peace. “I appeal to the people of Sambhal for peace. I am very sad to know the situation. Whatever loss of life and property has happened, it certainly cannot be compensated. This decision is not the final decision. I hope that the higher courts of this country and the parliament will do justice,” he wrote on X on Sunday.
Internet To Be Banned Tomorrow As Well
“Barq was given a notice under section 167B. He had instigated the crowd. That was the reason that many people came together. Firing came from the crowd. 25 arrests have been made. CCTV footage is being examined,” police said. The situation is under control in Sambhal and the Internet will remain banned tomorrow as well, they added.
As soon as it was announced that the survey has been completed, stone pelting started, police said.
“This was planned overnight. They pelted stones on their own people. Weapons have also been recovered from houses. People were called from an area of 10-15 km,” the district magistrate said.
