Authorities are looking for 350 more accused
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested two individuals from Batla House, a locality in the national capital, in connection with the November 24 violence in Sambhal. The arrest of Adnan and another unnamed accomplice brings the total number of arrests concerning the violence thus far to 51. Authorities continue to hunt for 350 others implicated in the violence.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, the arrests followed a tip-off from an informant who provided crucial information about the suspects’ whereabouts. “We received intelligence from our source, which led us to Batla House, where the two suspects were hiding. After identifying them through a photograph, we arrested Adnan, who was trying to evade capture,” Vishnoi said in an interview.
The violence left five civilians dead and many others injured. The subsequent police crackdown on youth, particularly Muslims, caused widespread panic in the region, forcing many to flee from Sambhal and take refuge in Delhi. Some found shelter in Batla House, a locality with a sizeable Muslim population, known for its residential and commercial spaces.
Following the eruption of violence, the UP police arrested about 50 individuals within Sambhal, but the search for those who fled continued. Batla House, being a major area in Delhi, became a focal point of the investigation, eventually leading to the arrests of Adnan and his accomplice. “After weeks of tracking the suspects’ movements, our team was able to confirm that they had been hiding in Batla House,” Vishnoi said. This arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation, as the authorities now focus on locating the remaining fugitives.
Both suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the violence.
In the aftermath of the violence, local authorities in Sambhal quickly took steps to prevent further unrest. Security forces, including the police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Response Force (RRF), were deployed to maintain law and order. “For the Friday prayers, we had a three-layer security arrangement to ensure the safety of the people around Jama Masjid. In addition, we posted 32 magistrates to monitor the situation,” said the District Magistrate (DM) of Sambhal. The heightened security measures were intended to prevent any reoccurrence of the violence, and so far, the region has remained calm.
As the investigation continues, police are carefully monitoring the situation in Sambhal, where people have been able to offer prayers without incident. “We are committed to ensuring peace in the region and ensuring that the perpetrators of this violence face the full force of the law,” added the DM.
The Sambhal violence case remains a key issue for law enforcement, as it highlights the ongoing tensions in the region. The investigation is still in its early stages, and police are hopeful that additional arrests will be made in the coming days. However, the authorities are also aware of the potential for further unrest and are taking measures to ensure that peace is maintained.
Authorities are also looking into the broader implications of the incident. While the investigation into the violence continues, it has raised concerns about the growing social and political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, where communal incidents have been on the rise in recent years. The Sambhal violence is seen as part of a wider pattern of unrest, which has prompted many community leaders and activists to call for greater efforts to address communal divides and ensure justice for all communities.
The investigation into the violence has sparked a range of reactions from the Muslim community, especially in areas like Batla House, which has long been a symbol of resilience for the Muslim residents of Delhi. Many Muslims have expressed concern over the police actions and the ongoing targeting of their community in the aftermath of the violence.
A resident of Batla House, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed dismay at the way the police had used the local area to track down and arrest the suspects. “Why is it that when something happens, the first place they look is Batla House?” he questioned. “It’s always our community that gets singled out. Even though we are not involved in these incidents, we are constantly under suspicion.” This sentiment is widely shared among many in the area, who feel that the police focus on their locality due to preconceived notions and stereotypes.
Moreover, the community is increasingly concerned about the portrayal of Muslims in the media, which many feel has been heavily skewed in recent years. In response to the violence, several community leaders have called for greater vigilance against what they term media bias that criminalises Muslims as a collective. “The media needs to stop presenting us as the ‘other,’” said a prominent Muslim leader from the region. “We are as much a part of this nation as anyone else, and we will not let our community be demonised for the actions of a few individuals.”
One prominent Muslim activist, who has been working with the victims’ families in Sambhal, condemned the violence but also expressed concern over the disproportionate measures taken against the Muslim community in the aftermath. “While the violence must be condemned, it is equally important to remember that this entire situation is being used to further polarise the communities,” said the activist. “Muslims who were not involved in any violence are now being unfairly targeted by the police.”
Other members of the Muslim community have pointed out the recurring pattern of Muslim youth being implicated in such incidents. They emphasise that this kind of stereotyping, coupled with the arrests and media coverage, creates an environment of distrust and fear among young Muslims. “Every time something like this happens, the police arrest anyone with a Muslim name, assuming they are guilty. Why do we have to constantly live with this fear?” remarked a young student from Batla House, who did not want to be named.
The violence in Sambhal has also sparked discussions about the broader political and social atmosphere in the country. Many Muslims feel that the current climate is contributing to a sense of insecurity and alienation. “This is not just about Sambhal. It’s about the growing climate of fear that Muslims are living under in India today,” said another activist. “The government needs to take steps to ensure that justice is served, not only for the victims of the violence but also for the innocent Muslims who are being wrongfully targeted.”
As the investigation continues, the Muslim community is not only demanding justice for the victims of the violence but also advocating for a fair investigation process that does not further criminalise Muslims. The community leaders are calling for accountability, transparency, and a fair trial for all the accused, stressing the importance of due process and ensuring that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
