New Delhi: Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal to prevent any untoward incident in view of Friday prayers and Supreme Court hearing today.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna will today hear the plea seeking a stay on the Sambhal court order. The management committee of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal had moved the Supreme Court against a local court order for survey of the mosque on a plea by the Hindu side claiming the mosque was previously a Harihar temple.
In its plea, the Masjid Committee has claimed that the Sambhal civil judge heard the Hindu side suit ex parte, which was not even numbered by then, and allowed the application seeking appointment of an advocate commissioner for survey of the mosque within hours and that the order dated November 19 also contained no reasons at all as to why such an application was being considered ex parte and why was being allowed the same day.
Background: The Sambhal mosque dispute and recent violence
Tension erupted in Sambhal on November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
Violence broke out on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people had died and scores of others were left injured in the violence.
Tight security arrangements for Friday prayers in Sambhal today
Police have made special arrangements to ensure peaceful Friday prayers with deployment of 15 companies of PAC and 2 from RAF in the sensitive areas of the town. Additional police forces from 10 neighbouring districts have been rushed in to the affected areas.
Police personnel are also armed with body cams, CCTVs and drones to keep a close watch in the area. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNS are in place and internet services are already suspended in the region.
As part of their arrangements police have banned the entry on non-locals in the Jama Masjid. Metal detectors have been installed at all the entry gates of the mosque.
