Sun Nov 24 21:27:37 UTC 2024: **Four Killed in Sambhal Mosque Survey Violence; Internet Suspended**

SAMBHAL, INDIA – Violence erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a survey of the Jama Masjid mosque on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of four young men. The incident left the Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary and the SP’s PRO injured by gunfire, along with 15 other police officers.

The violence, which began around 6:30 AM when a team including the District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) arrived to conduct a survey, quickly escalated. A large crowd, estimated at 2,000-3,000, gathered and engaged in stone-throwing after the survey team’s arrival. Police responded with tear gas and lathi charges, but the situation remained uncontrolled for several hours. Three four-wheeled vehicles and five bikes were set ablaze. Authorities removed approximately four trolley loads of stones from the streets.

The deceased’s families claim they were killed by police gunfire, while the Commissioner stated that no deaths resulted from police firing, blaming the attackers for the fatalities.

Following the incident, internet services have been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours, and schools up to class 12 will remain closed on November 25th. A complete lockdown has been imposed on the district, with no outsiders allowed until December 1st. Unofficial curfew-like conditions prevail. All three routes leading to the Jama Masjid are barricaded.

Senior police officials, including ADG Amit Sharma and IG Muniraj, have reached the site. Akhilesh Yadav, a prominent political figure, has called upon the Supreme Court to take immediate cognizance of the incident. The investigation is underway.

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