sit-detains-shahi-jama-masjid-chief-in-sambhal-violence

The chief of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Zafar Ali, has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the violence that erupted on November 24 last year.

 

The Mughal-era mosque has been the focal point of a significant controversy following a petition claiming that the site was once home to an ancient Hindu temple.

 

According to reports, the SIT detained Zafar Ali for the purpose of recording his statement. Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar confirmed that Ali was taken into custody for questioning related to the November 24 violence, although he did not explicitly state if an official arrest had been made.

 

The violence broke out last year amid protests against a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

 

The clashes led to the deaths of four individuals and left several others, including police personnel, injured. The situation has remained tense since the incident, with heightened security measures to maintain peace in the area.

 

The SIT has already filed a chargesheet of over 4,000 pages in six of the twelve cases registered concerning the November 24 violence. The chargesheet lists 159 accused individuals and details the recovery of weapons at the site of the violence.

 

Interestingly, the recovered weapons were found to have been manufactured in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

 

Since the violent incident, no further clashes have been reported in the area. Authorities have taken stringent measures to maintain peace, especially during sensitive occasions such as Holi.

 

In a bid to ensure a peaceful environment, the police and paramilitary forces carried out flag marches across Sambhal, and drones were deployed for surveillance. Additionally, the Shahi Jama Masjid was covered with a tarpaulin sheet to prevent any damage or vandalism during the festivities.

 

Circle Officer Anuj Chowdhary led the security efforts along with other police personnel to keep the situation under control. The local administration has emphasised the importance of maintaining communal harmony in the district.

 

The regular whitewashing of the mosque, which was carried out under a court order, also served as a symbolic gesture to reduce tensions.