Sambhal Mosque-Temple Conflict: Three Dead in Firing, 15 Arrested Amid Tensions
Violence broke out in Sambhal during a court-mandated survey of a disputed mosque-temple site, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries from rooftop firing by an opposing group. Police used force to disperse the crowd and detained 15 individuals involved in the unrest. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak emphasized that the law stands above all and criticized opposition parties for fostering disorder.
Sambhal Mosque-Temple Conflict: The police said eight people have died in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where tensions spiked during a court-mandated survey of a disputed mosque and temple site. Two of the three dead could be identified-Noman (42), Bilal (32), and Naeem (25), who succumbed to firing allegedly from the rooftop by members of the other community. The violence led to 15 being detained for rioting.
According to Moradabad Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh, the survey was to be carried out peacefully between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. under police security, but the crowd gathered before the Jama Masjid, chanted slogans, and went on to stone the forces. Police personnel reported casualties in the clashes as force was used to disperse the mobs. The survey team has finished its work, and the situation is reportedly now under control.
Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak said no one is above the law or the constitution, and that the survey was carried out strictly on the orders of the court. He accused the Samajwadi Party of encouraging anarchism and lawlessness, saying such actions cannot be tolerated.