Sambhal rioters to pay for property damage
The Uttar Pradesh Government will make protesters involved in the Sambhal violence pay for damage to public property while posters of “stone-pelters” will be displayed at public places, an official said on Wednesday.
The Sambal police have released several pictures of those involved in violence. In these photographs, nine persons were identified and help has been sought from people to identify those with masks on their faces.
Four persons were killed and several others, including police personnel, were injured in Sambhal on Sunday after a confrontation erupted over a court-ordered survey of the city’s Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area, following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.
“The Uttar Pradesh Government is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters of the stone-pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly and recovery of damages will be sought,” a spokesperson said.
SP Krishan Kumar said an estimate of losses to public property was being prepared. “Stones were pelted on the mosque too. Police vehicles, transformer and electric wires were damaged,” he said. UP ministers Dharmaveer Prajapati and Narendra Kahsyap reiterated that loss to public property would be realised from rioters.
So far, the police have arrested 25 persons and registered seven FIRs, which include charges against Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal; Sohail Iqbal, son of the party’s local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, and over 2,750 unidentified suspects.
Court ruled against display of posters
- In 2020, the UP Government had put up posters of persons linked with vandalism during the anti-CAA protests
- Were displayed across several locations, including UP capital Lucknow
- But had to be removed following a court order
