Schools and markets reopen but internet services remain suspended
Team Clarion
SAMBHAL – Days after communal violence rocked the city, Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh is gradually returning to normalcy. The death toll in the violence, which erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid complex, has on Wednesday gone up to six.
Schools and markets, which were shut down in the wake of violence, have reopened. However, internet services remain suspended, causing inconvenience to residents.
“The situation appears to be stabilising, with schools and markets reopening,” said a resident. “But the lack of internet services is a challenge, especially for students and businesses,” he said.
The aftermath of the violence has seen extensive police activity. Sambhal police are reviewing footage from drones, CCTV cameras, and mobile phones to identify those responsible for the chaos.
So far, seven cases have been registered, with 2,750 individuals, including prominent figures such as Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Burq and Nawab Suhail Iqbal, son of the local MLA Nawab Iqbal, named as accused.
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi reassured the public about the measures to restore normalcy. “We are committed to recovering every penny from those responsible for the damages,” he stated. He also claimed that no deaths resulted from police action. “The police used only plastic bullets, and the post-mortem reports confirmed that no one died from police firing,” he said.
To prevent further unrest, the district administration has banned the entry of public representatives and outsiders in Sambhal until 30 November. Authorities have deployed a heavy police presence at key intersections, with Rapid Action Force units stationed in sensitive areas.
“Our priority is to maintain peace and prevent any escalation,” said District Magistrate Ritu Maheshwari. “Restricting the movement of outsiders is a precautionary step to help the city recover.”
Despite the tense atmosphere near the site of the incident, many residents are relieved to see signs of normalcy. Markets that were shuttered on 25 November are now reopening, albeit cautiously.
Local leaders have called for dialogue and unity to prevent future clashes. “Communal harmony is the backbone of our society. We urge everyone to work together to ensure such incidents are not repeated,” said a representative from a local peace committee.
The violence stemmed from tensions during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid complex. While authorities have yet to disclose full details of the survey, it has sparked debate over land rights and religious sensitivities.
Observers have noted the potential for political exploitation of the unrest. “The involvement of high-profile individuals indicates a deeper political game at play,” commented political analyst Arshad Ansari. “Authorities must act decisively to ensure justice and prevent communal polarisation.”
Sambhal remains under close watch with its residents hoping for a return to peace. However, the scars of the violence and the lingering tensions serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and dialogue in a city that has faced far too many such incidents.
