Sambhal Clashes: SP Claims 'House Arrest' As DM Prohibits Visit To Violence-Hit Town — Top Updates

The Samajwadi Party on Saturday alleged that its leaders were put under "house arrest" who were supposed to visit Sambhal district which was hit by violence on November 24. 

A 15-member delegation of the party, including Uttar Pradesh Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, was scheduled to visit Sambhal on Saturday and submit a report on the situation in the town to party chief Akhilesh Yadav. 

Violence erupted in the western Uttar Pradesh town on November 24 after a team reached the Shahi Jama Masjid in the district for a court-ordered survey. The survey was directed by a Sambhal court on a petition filed by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain claiming the Mughal-era mosque was built on a temple site. 

#WATCH | Lucknow: Notice being served to Uttar Pradesh Assembly LoP Mata Prasad Pandey by DM Sambhal asking him not to go there in view of the law and order situation

A delegation of the Samajwadi Party led by Mata Prasad Pandey was scheduled to visit Sambhal today. pic.twitter.com/gOLAbHsxne

— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024

Early on Saturday, police personnel were deployed outside Pandey's residence in state capital Lucknow and a notice was served by District Magistrate Sambhal asking the LoP not to visit the town in view of the law and order situation. 

"The District Magistrate has prohibited that no one can come here right now... We have established peace and daily life is still getting normal. If anyone comes now, then they can be a reason for instigation," said Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh. 

"We hope that responsible people in responsible positions will understand what we are saying... We don't want to stop anyone, we only want to improve the situation... Anyone is welcome once the situation gets normal... This is not the right time. I insist that it would be better if they don't come right now...," he said further. 

ALSO READ | 'Muslims Safe Neither Outside Nor In Their Homes': Congress MP Imran Masood On Sambhal Violence

'House Arrest' 

Meanwhile, SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra alleged that the party leaders were put under "house arrest." 

"Police have placed all those who were supposed to visit Sambhal under house arrest today. A large number of police officers were stationed at my house too," the MP told PTI. 

"The national president of the Samajwadi Party directed us to visit Sambhal to gather accurate information about the incident, but the BJP government wants to hide the truth, which is why we are being stopped from going there," he alleged. 

Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq said he was leaving for his constituency with party MPs. "If the police stop us, we will formulate a strategy after holding talks with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav," he said. 

Another SP MP Harendra Singh Malik said he was stopped by the police at the Delhi-Ghaziabad border. 
"They have stopped us and are saying that the officials will talk to us. As per protocol, the member of Parliament should be treated above the cabinet secretary of the government of India. Unfortunately, we have been stopped to hold talks with ACP...We are waiting for the ACP to come...," he said. 

Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP 

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also slammed the BJP government saying imposing a ban is a failure of the Yogi Adityanath dispensation. 

"If the government had imposed such a ban earlier on those who aimed to cause riots and made people raise frenzied slogans, the atmosphere of harmony and peace in Sambhal would not have been spoiled," he said in a post on X. 

He also demanded the suspension of the entire administrative board of the district across the ranks and strict action against the officials. 

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak hit back saying Akhilesh Yadav should look into his own affairs. 

"The Sambhal incident happened due to criminals protected by the Samajwadi Party. The criminals of Sambhal are all Samajwadi. Akhilesh Yadav should apologize to the people. We will maintain law and order situation there...," he said.