‘Supreme Court should take cognizance and do justice’: Priyanka Gandhi on Sambhal violence

NEW DELHI: A day after violence erupted in Sambhal district, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath government of “spoiling the atmosphere” with their “hasty actions” and urged the Supreme Court of India to take suo-motto cognizance of the issue.

Attacking further, she termed the state government’s action towards the “sudden dispute” in Sambhal as “very unfortunate”. “The attitude of the state government towards the sudden dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is very unfortunate. The way the administration acted in haste in such a sensitive matter without listening to the other side and without taking both the parties into confidence shows that the government itself spoiled the atmosphere. The administration did not even consider it necessary to follow the necessary procedure and duty”, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X.

The Congress leader further appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace under any circumstances. The tweet added, “Sitting in power and trying to spread discrimination, oppression and division is neither in the interest of the people nor in the interest of the country. The Supreme Court should take cognizance of this matter and do justice. I appeal to the people of the state to maintain peace under all circumstances”.

Meanwhile, security has been heightened near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh to maintain order and prevent any escalation of violence following the initial incident. Visuals from the area near the mosque show security deployed with two-way radios for communication, security batons, flashlights, firearms, vehicle barriers and metal detectors to maintain the level of security for local regulations.

Police officials in the area could also be seen patrolling the area to deter any criminal activity and maintain order, and ensure the safety of people and property by offering a visible security presence. These measures come to effect after a survey team that had arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey of the mosque in Sambhal district on Sunday morning amid heavy police deployment faced stone-pelting from some “anti-social elements”.

Three people were killed and around two dozen others, including policemen and senior officials, were injured in a clash that broke out during a survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district on Sunday morning. “The police PRO was shot in the foot during the firing. The deputy collector’s foot was fractured. The Circle Officer (CO) was injured. A total of three people are confirmed dead in the firing. The situation is under control, and we are speaking to with their representatives”, Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh told reporters.

Police had to use tear gas and appeal the stone pelters in a bid to control the situation in the area. The survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple. A similar survey was previously conducted on November 19, with local police and members of the mosque’s management committee present to oversee the process. (ANI)