Sambhal News: Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday alleged that the recent violence in Sambhal was engineered by the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to divert public attention from what he called rigging in the recently held by-polls. The former UP chief minister also expressed his frustration with the Sambhal administration's refusal to allow a high-level Samajwadi Party delegation to visit the area.
"We want the urgent restoration of peace and complete normalcy in the region, but how can there be peace when there is no communication with the people living in the affected areas?" he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The remark came hours after a high-level SP delegation was stopped from visiting Sambhal following the extension of a ban on the entry of outsiders and public representatives into the violence-hit city till December 10.
Circle Officer Pankaj Singh said that SP workers, led by party district president Shivcharan, attempted to reach Sambhal but were detained after defying police orders. On November 19, a court-ordered survey of the mosque was carried out and days later on November 24, the team carried out another survey. Violence erupted when a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began its work. The ensuing violence claimed the lives of four people and left many others, including policemen, injured.
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- "Uttar Pradesh government engineered the recent violence in Sambhal to distract the public from the truth about the rigging of the recent by-elections," Yadav claimed. In the recent by-elections held on nine seats across UP, the SP could win only two seats, while the remaining were won by the BJP and its ally RLD.
- Attacking the ruling party, he further said, "The BJP has a vested interest in instigating communal disturbances to polarise the people and divert their attention from their abysmal record in governance."
- Regarding the events leading up to the violence, Yadav said, "When the survey team visited the Sambhal mosque, the local community cooperated fully. There was no trouble. But despite this, the authorities decided to repeat the survey, and this time, they allowed a group of people to accompany the team who raised provocative slogans."
- Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh announced on Saturday: "The divisional commissioner's standing order is being implemented in Sambhal. No delegation is permitted to visit. Once the situation normalises, everyone will be allowed."
- Urging the Samajwadi Party to cooperate and postpone its delegation's visit to Sambhal, the official said, "They wouldn't want the situation in Sambhal to worsen. They should visit after some time. The investigation is underway, and we are gathering evidence. So far, 30 people have been arrested."
- Mata Prasad Pandey, the Leader of Opposition in UP Assembly, claimed the Sambhal District Magistrate had personally requested him to refrain from visiting the area. "The Justice Commission and the media are visiting the area. Will there be unrest if we go? The government is stopping us deliberately to hide its actions," the SP leader told wire agency ANI.
- Meanwhile, former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam alleged that Akhilesh Yadav had a role in the violence. "Akhilesh Yadav has a direct and indirect role in the violence. MPs and MLAs from his party incited the people. The police and administration's actions are aimed at restoring peace. By sympathising with the Muslim vote bank, Yadav is deceiving Muslims. Their visit to Sambhal is mere political tourism," he said.
- UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak slammed the Samajwadi Party, saying, "They are going there (Sambhal) for political tourism, we will maintain law and order there in every situation."
(With inputs from agencies)