'FIR Against Samajwadi MP, MLA's Son; Attack Was Pre-Planned; Rumours Spread': Here's What Moradabad Commissioner Said On Sambhal Violence

Moradabad Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the member of Parliament (MP) from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman Barq in the violence case.

Violence erupted On Sunday (24 November) when a court-ordered survey team arrived to inspect the Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot West area and the mob started pelting stones at them, firing from clashing groups followed.

Singh said that an FIR is registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Barq for instigation. The presence of the son of the local member of the legislative assembly (MLA) is also alleged when violence took place.

Hence, an FIR is registered against him as well. SP leader Iqbal Mehmood is the MLA of Sambhal since 1996. Singh further alleged that the violence was pre-planned and confirmed the death of four persons in the clashes.

He said that the internet services are suspended to prevent the spread of rumours. Citing an example he said, "Vehicles in front of the mosque were set on fire but smoke emitting near mosque was presented in a wrong way."

While Singh did not specify, it can be assumed that he was suggesting that rumours about the mosque set on fire were spread. He added that stones on the mosque were pelted by the mob only and if any harm was caused to the building remains to be analysed.

"There was no reason to set vehicles outside the mosque on fire and for people to collect in such large numbers. Court battle should have been fought in court, not by stone-pelting. Definitely, they (mob) were provoked for this," the Commissioner said.

"If people were serious about this matter (survey of Jama Masjid), then they should have appealed against in higher courts. Deliberately, the disturbance was created. Coincidentally, we were able to control the situation," he added.

Singh said that post-mortem reveals that the bullets which killed people, were from country-made pistols. He added that one person was killed at point-blank range as well, which cannot be of the police as the police were far away.

"The investigation will proceed as we get more evidence. Strict action will be taken, if needed National Security Act (NSA) will also be imposed," the Commissioner said asserting that peace has been restored in Sambhal.

The clashes followed a second court-mandated survey at the mosque, linked to claims that a temple previously stood at the site before being demolished in the 16th century. The first survey was completed on 19 November.

The petition, filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, claims that Mughal king Babar partially demolished the Harihar temple in 1529 and constructed the mosque. Jain highlighted the historical and religious significance of the alleged Harihar temple.