Sambhal Jama Masjid Violence: Women, Youth Played Key Roles In 'Pre-Planned' Attack, Say Police — What You Need To Know

A detailed account has surfaced regarding the orchestrated violence during the Jama Masjid survey in Sambhal on Sunday (25 November).

Massive violence broke out on Sunday when a large crowd opposed a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal.

The survey was initiated based on a plea in court claiming that an ancient temple had been demolished to build the Mughal-era mosque.

The mob clashed with police, pelting stones, and the police opened retaliatory fire, leading to over three hours of chaos.

At least four people were killed, and several policemen were injured in the violence.

Interrogation of 27 people arrested by the Police has revealed that the violence was meticulously planned, Hindi daily Dainik Jagran reported.

According to the police, bricks, stones, and glass bottles were stockpiled on rooftops in advance as part of the preparation.

Further, women were reportedly directed to attack from rooftops if police initiated counteractions during the clash.

This strategy materialised as when the police responded strictly, women took charge from rooftops, attacking officers with bricks, stones, and bottles.

This forced the police to disperse, and the attackers seized the opportunity to open fire.

The interrogations have also revealed the names of the ringleaders and key individuals involved in the violence, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.

Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh stated that suspects are being identified through videos and photographs.

So far, 74 suspects have been identified, and reports suggest involvement of individuals from other districts as well.

The 27 accused sent to jail include two women, Rukaiya and Farmana, and a young woman named Nazarana.

The police conducted separate interrogations with each of the accused and later confronted them with one another.

The women's involvement was a deliberate part of the violence strategy, the report said.

Women were instructed to step out during critical moments when the situation went out of control, as their presence was expected to make the police hesitate, giving the miscreants an opportunity to escape. This strategy was executed successfully.

The two women and the young woman were arrested on the spot.

Among the arrested is Mohammad Haider, a resident of Shahjahanpur.

Based on the information Haider provided, it was found that miscreants were called in from Shahjahanpur and other districts.

A separate list of the accused from these areas has been prepared, and teams have been sent to those districts for investigation.

Additionally, Haider’s call detail records (CDR) are being examined to trace who he was in contact with from the time a call for gathering during Friday prayers was made until just before the incident.

Police teams are visiting the residences of these individuals for verification.

The investigation so far has revealed that a large number of young men, many of whom were masked, also participated in the violence.

The videos released by the State Information Department on Wednesday also show a large number of young individuals.

The police probe revealed that appeals were made to gather as many young people as possible, with messages being circulated secretly as part of a well-thought-out plan.

On Sunday morning, Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Raghav arrived at Jama Masjid along with the District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), and police forces to conduct videography of the survey.

At the time, over 100 individuals were present inside the mosque.

The DM had clarified that the survey was conducted only after clearing the mosque.

CCTV footage related to the violence showed that surveillance cameras along the route near Jama Masjid had been specifically targeted.

Just before the violence broke out, some youths were seen pointing towards the cameras, and within moments, they destroyed them using bricks.

In another instance, a person was seen breaking a camera with a stick.

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