UP police stop Samajwadi Party delegation from visiting violence-hit Sambhal

A delegation from the Samajwadi Party (SP) was barred from entering Uttar Pradesh's violence-affected Sambhal on Nov 29, prompting a sharp response from party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

The 15-member delegation tasked with investigating recent violence at the Shahi Jama Masjid, was formed under the leadership of UP state assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mata Prasad Pandey.

Notably, on Nov 24, violence broke out in Sambhal when a team of local authorities went to the Jamia Masjid to conduct the second round of a court-ordered survey. The mob set several vehicles ablaze and allegedly opened fire at the police using locally made guns. Over 20 police personnel were injured, and at least four protestors were killed in clashes.

The Sambhal district administration recently issued a directive banning the entry of outsiders until Dec 10. District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya stated, "No outsider, any social organization or any public representative can enter into the borders of the district without seeking the permission of the competent authority till December 10."

This measure came against the backdrop of violent clashes in Sambhal on Nov 24, following a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Protesters opposing the survey clashed with security forces, leading to stone pelting, arson, and the deaths of several individuals.

Reacting strongly to the situation, Yadav took to social media to condemn the Bharatiya Janata Party-led UP government. He accused the government of administrative failure and alleged that the BJP was attempting to cover up its negligence.

"Imposing a ban is a failure of the BJP government's governance, administration, and government management. If the government had imposed such a ban earlier on those who dreamed of causing riots and made people raise frenzied slogans, the atmosphere of harmony and peace in Sambhal would not have been spoiled," Yadav wrote on X.

He also demanded the suspension of the entire administrative machinery in Sambhal for "negligence and conspiracy."

LoP Pandey claimed that both the Home Secretary Sanjay Prasad and Sambhal District Magistrate contacted him, requesting that he postpone the trip.

"Administration should have given me a notice as per the rules that I cannot go there, but no written notice was given. They only talk on the telephone. They deployed the police. The Justice Commission is going there, media people are going there, will there be any unrest if we go there? This government is deliberately stopping us to hide all its work," Pandey was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The SP delegation initially planned to visit Moradabad before heading to Sambhal, intending to meet victims of the violence and their families. However, these plans were derailed as police refused to allow them to leave Pandey's residence.

Samajwadi Party state president Shyam Lal Pal echoed Pandey's views that the delegation intended to compile a detailed report on the incident for submission to party chief Yadav.

The team included high-profile members such as Legislative Council leader Lal Bihari Yadav, Members of Parliament (MPs) — Ziaur Rahman Barq, Harendra Malik, and others.

Barq faces charges of violence, accused of committing "provocative acts." Despite this, the party leadership maintained that their visit was essential for ensuring transparency and accountability.

The SP has announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh each to the families of those who died in the violence.

"Samajwadi Party will provide financial assistance of ₹ 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the violence in Sambhal due to the failure of the BJP government and administration. UP government should give compensation of ₹ 25 lakh each to the families," the party said in a statement.

Congress state president Ajay Rai has also announced that a party delegation will visit the district on Dec 2.

Amidst the political fallout, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has formed a three-member judicial commission to investigate the violence. Retired Justice Devendra Kumar Arora of the Allahabad High Court will lead the probe.