The arrested accused have been sent to jail.
SAMBHAL — The Uttar Pradesh police arrested 10 individuals on Sunday, January 19, in connection with the November 24 violence near the Shahi Jama Masjid in this Uttar Pradesh district.
With this, 70 people have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Srish Chandra said.
The arrested individuals include Tahzeeb, Azhar Ali, Asad, Danish, Suhaib, Alam, Mohammad Danish, Shane Alam, Bakir, and Mulla Afroz. The arrests were made after analyzing CCTV footage and viral photographs on social media. ASP Chandra stated that Afroz, son of Afzar, is an active member of the Sarik Sata gang, which is allegedly involved in vehicle and arms trafficking.
On Sunday, January 19, the Uttar Pradesh police arrested 10 individuals in connection with the November 24 violence near Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, bringing the total arrests to 70. The arrested include Tahzeeb, Azhar Ali, Asad, Danish, Suhaib, Alam, Mohammad Danish, Shane Alam, Bakir, and Mulla Afroz. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Srish Chandra stated that Afroz, son of Afzar, is an active member of the Sarik Sata gang, which is involved in vehicle and arms trafficking. A .32-bore pistol, three live cartridges, and 15 blank cartridges were recovered from his possession. The accused have been sent to jail.
Afroz was reportedly present during the November 24 chaos and allegedly fired at the police, with bullets striking Bilal and Ayan, who later succumbed to their injuries. The violence erupted during a second survey of Shahi Jama Masjid, ordered by a Sambhal court on November 19.
The survey followed a plea by Hindu petitioners claiming that the mosque was built in 1526 by Mughal emperor Babur after demolishing a temple. Protesting locals clashed with security forces, leading to the deaths of four people and injuries to dozens.
Earlier, on December 8, 2024, two men, Anas and Mohammad Sufiyan, were arrested in connection with the violence. That day, stone-pelting occurred in Pakka Baag Hindu Pura Kheda, a police motorcycle was torched, and cartridges from a police pistol were looted. A case was registered at Nakhasa Police Station based on CCTV evidence, which implicated Anas and Sufiyan.
The incident has left Sambhal tense since November 19, when the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid began. The petition claimed the site originally housed a Harihar temple, further escalating communal tensions in the region. — With Inputs from agencies
