Samajwadi Party delivers Rs 5 lakh compensation to families of victims in Sambhal violence

A Samajwadi Party delegation, led by Uttar Pradesh Assembly’s Leader of Opposition, Mata Prasad Pandey, visited Sambhal on Monday to deliver Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of those killed in the November 24 violence. The violence, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 20 police officers, erupted after a local court ordered an archaeological survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid to determine its religious character. This was part of an ongoing legal dispute surrounding the mosque, believed to be more than 500 years old.

The delegation included Samajwadi Party lawmakers such as Iqra Hasan, local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, and Sambhal MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq. They met with the families of the deceased and provided the promised financial assistance. Pandey confirmed that this compensation was in fulfillment of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s announcement to provide Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased individuals who were reportedly killed by police during the violence.

The violence in Sambhal was triggered by a court ruling that ordered a survey to determine whether the Shahi Jama Masjid had been constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The decision to conduct the survey sparked protests, and in the ensuing clashes, five people died, and 20 police officers were injured. The local administration responded by imposing a curfew, suspending internet services, and deploying additional security forces to restore order.

In the aftermath, Sambhal MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, who had visited the mosque shortly before the violence, faced accusations from local police of inciting tensions through inflammatory speeches. The police claimed that his visit and statements contributed to the unrest. Barq, however, denied the allegations, stating that he was in Bengaluru at the time of the violence and had chosen to stay in Delhi after learning about the FIR filed against him. He described the charges as politically motivated.

The Supreme Court intervened in early December regarding the archaeological survey, directing the trial court to suspend proceedings until the Shahi Jama Masjid committee’s petition is heard. The court also ordered that the survey report be kept in a sealed envelope. The survey is expected to be completed, and the report filed by January 2 or 3, 2024. The legal proceedings surrounding the mosque, along with the violence, have kept tensions high in Sambhal, with the situation continuing to evolve.