One of the residents, requesting anonymity said, “At least we can salvage some of our precious things this way. If we leave the demolition to the administration, we might not be left with anything.”
This came even as the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation continued with its raids in minority-dominated areas of Sambhal. On Tuesday, a smart meter was installed at the house of Samajwadi Party MP Zia-Ur Rahman, who was recently handed a notice for an alleged illegal construction under his name. So far, power theft has been detected in dozens of houses, and fines worth ₹1.3 crore have been imposed.ASP Shrish Chandra said, “The power department requested police security for conducting anti-theft drives in certain areas of Sambhal near Jama Mosque. During the drive, several houses were found stealing electricity.” The administration’s anti-encroachment and anti-power theft operations are ongoing, with authorities maintaining heavy police deployment to ensure law and order.
The anti-encroachment drive comes in the wake of the violence that broke out in Sambhal on Nov 24 during a court-ordered Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Jama Masjid, which left five people dead and over 20 police personnel injured. The survey was initiated following claims that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple allegedly demolished during the Mughal period. On Nov 29, the Supreme Court directed the Sambhal trial court to halt proceedings against the mosque until the Allahabad HC hears the masjid committee’s challenge to the survey order.
Near the old temple around the mosque, a well that was discovered has been sealed by the municipality, local residents said. “This well is located right at the edge of the mosque’s entrance. Police forces are deployed at the site,” said Chandra said. The administration has also begun excavation work at the well. “The well was covered, and a marble slab was placed over it,” added another local resident.
It all started after an “ancient” Shiva temple was discovered hidden within a locked house during an anti-encroachment drive around the Shahi Jama Masjid area. The house, abandoned by its Hindu occupants after the 1978 riots, had reportedly been encroached upon for decades. Inside the deteriorating structure, officials uncovered a Shivling and a Hanuman statue.
Outside the temple, an ancient well, which had been concealed beneath a ramp, was also found. The ASI has been tasked with conducting carbon dating to determine the temple’s age. The administration has launched an investigation into the property’s ownership and plans to restore the temple to its rightful owners while taking action against those responsible for the encroachment.