Congress MP on Sambhal violence: Police distorted facts, involved in unrest

Congress MP Imran Masood said that Rahul Gandhi will visit Sambhal in the coming days.

In Short

• Congress MP Imran Masood said Rahul Gandhi would visit area
• Public gatherings restricted, internet suspended to prevent unrest
• Samajwadi Party MP named main accused in the case

In the aftermath of the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, Congress MP Imran Masood has accused the local police of being directly involved in the unrest that left five people dead and many others injured.

Speaking to the media, Masood alleged that the police distorted facts about the incident and raised serious questions about their actions during the clashes. He referred to social media footage that purportedly showed police personnel firing at civilians and criticised authorities for dismissing such claims without a proper forensic investigation.

The violence erupted on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century mosque. The survey was initiated following allegations that the mosque was constructed on the site of a demolished Hindu temple.

Protests against the survey quickly escalated into violent clashes between local residents and law enforcement, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to around 20 security personnel.

Masood's comments reflect the Congress party's growing criticism of the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of the incident. He stated that Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is planning a visit to Sambhal to assess the situation firsthand and engage with affected communities.

The schedule for Gandhi's visit has yet to be finalised, but his presence is expected to draw significant attention to the incident and its aftermath.

To prevent further unrest, public gatherings have been restricted in the area. The district administration also ordered a 24-hour suspension of internet services in the Sambhal Tehsil to curb the spread of misinformation.

The Congress party has vowed to raise the issue in Parliament, demanding accountability from the state government and law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Warq has been named as the main accused in the case and an FIR has been filed against him for allegedly inciting a mob and orchestrating violence that left five dead.

The police in its FIR claimed that Ziaur Rahman Warq provoked the crowd and disrupted communal harmony for political gain.