Weeks following the violent unrest in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a new investigative angle has emerged. The incident in question occurred on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the disputed Shahi Jama Masjid, leading to five deaths and numerous injuries among both civilians and police personnel. The violence was initially attributed to local protests against the survey, which aimed to investigate claims that the mosque was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
Emergence of New Evidence
The police have recently received letters and documents suggesting a potential conspiracy involving Madrasa students from nearby districts. Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi has confirmed that these documents allege that students from Madrasas in the neighbouring districts of Hapur, Rampur, and Bulandshahr were specifically called to Sambhal to participate in the violence.
Investigation Details
Following this revelation, the police have initiated an investigation to verify the authenticity of these claims. SP Bishnoi stated, “We are currently checking the veracity of these letters. If found true, strict actions will be taken.” This new angle has prompted the formation of special investigation teams to delve deeper into the matter, examining the roles and movements of the students on the day of the violence.
Current Status of the Investigation
Arrests and Identifications: Approximately 40 individuals, including three women, have been arrested in connection with the violence. However, 93 identified rioters remain at large.
Rewards for Information: The Sambhal police are preparing to announce rewards for information leading to the arrest of these absconding suspects.
Public Identification: Photos of around 400 rioters have been released to the public to assist in their identification.
Legal Actions: The accused involved in the Sambhal violence are set to face charges under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) for rioting and arson.
Further Developments
A total of twelve FIRs have been filed. Seven of these were initiated by police, while four were lodged by the families of those killed during the violence. An additional FIR was filed by a man named Naseem, alleging that his nephew was killed by gunfire from members of the Turkic Mongol community during the unrest.
Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, among others, has been named in these FIRs, facing scrutiny for his alleged role.
Madrasa’s teach: How to derail trains?
On December 15, Organiser reported about a shocking revelation that had emerged around ‘training on how to derail trains’ reportedly being imparted in certain madarsas. A probe led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has uncovered a conspiracy to target trains in the Jhansi and Kanpur regions.
According to the investigation, students in these madarsas are allegedly being radicalised and instigated to participate in activities aimed at derailing trains. The agencies revealed that some youths are receiving explicit training on methods to carry out such acts. This training, they claim, is being conducted via online platforms, with several incriminating videos recovered during raids.
