BAREILLY: In Sambhal, another survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was conducted on Sunday. The survey team arrived at 6am in the presence of DM Rajendra Pansia, SP Krishna Bishnoi, SDM Vandana Mishra, circle officer Anuj Chaudhary and Tehsildar Ravi Sonkar. Multiple teams of local police, PAC, and Rapid Response Force were deployed at the site.
Within two hours of the survey’s commencement, several protesters gathered at the site and pelted stones at the security forces, resulting in injuries to officials. The crowd was later dispersed after the police resorted to a lathi-charge and used force. Videos of the incident have been widely shared on social media.
On November 19, a petition was filed by members of the Kela Devi Temple Committee in the Civil Senior Division Court of Chandausi, claiming that the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal is the Shri Harihar Temple, which was converted into a mosque during Babur’s reign in 1529.
Judge Aditya Singh, Civil Judge (Senior Division), ordered a photo and videography survey on the same date. A survey lasting one and a half hours was conducted later that evening.
Heavy security arrangements
Amid heavy security arrangements, nearly 5,000 people gathered to offer Friday prayers at the 16th-century Jama Masjid.
A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “The entire area was barricaded to ensure that peace was not disturbed. We had been in touch with police officials deployed earlier in this area to keep a track of anti-social elements as an ‘intelligence’ report suggested that there would be attempts to break communal riots here.”
Given the area’s communal sensitivity, authorities are taking significant precautions. The mosque’s history includes an incident in 1976 when an imam was killed by a member of another community, leading to widespread violence and a month-long curfew.
The mosque is located roughly 150-200 meters from the ‘Kalki’ temple.
Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated, “We had deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF), PAC and police force from nearby police stations to maintain law and order in Sambhal. Drone cameras were used to track every movement as well. During the flag march on Thursday, we shared a strong message that if anyone tries to disrupt peace, strict action would be taken. Force will remain deployed near the mosque considering the sensitivity of the court case.”