Sambhal District Administration Imposes Ban on the Entry of Outsiders Until December 10 After Shahi Jama Masjid Survey Clashes

Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district administration on Saturday imposed a ban on the entry of "outsiders" until December 10 to maintain peace and order, following the violence on November 19 that led to four deaths and several injuries. District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya stated that no outsider, social organization, or public representative can enter the district without prior approval from the competent authority.

The decision comes as a 15-member delegation from the Samajwadi Party (SP) had planned to visit Sambhal to investigate the violence that erupted after a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The violence, which followed the survey of the mosque on November 19, sparked tensions over claims that the mosque was built on the site of the former Harihar temple.

Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey, who was set to lead the delegation, revealed that Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary Sanjay Prasad had asked him not to visit the district. Pandey also received a call from the Sambhal District Magistrate, who confirmed that the entry ban would be in effect until December 10. “The DM Sambhal had also called me up telling me that the ban on entry of outsiders has been extended till December 10. So I will now visit the party office and discuss the issue before deciding on our next action.” He further added, “The government perhaps wanted to prevent me from hiding its wrongs in Sambhal as our visit would have exposed its several mistakes,” said Pandey.

In light of the restrictions, heavy security was deployed outside Pandey's residence starting Friday night. The Samajwadi Party had initially planned the visit following instructions from party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, who wanted the delegation to submit a report on the violence.

Reacting to the administration's decision, Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at BJP and said, “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.” He further demanded accountability, saying, “Just like the BJP changes the entire cabinet at once, similarly, the entire administrative board from top to bottom in Sambhal should be suspended and dismissed by accusing them of negligence due to conspiracy and strict action should be taken against them and a case should also be filed against them for murder of someone. BJP has lost.”

Meanwhile, Congress state president Ajay Rai announced that a Congress delegation would visit Sambhal on December 2 to assess the situation.

Tensions in Sambhal had escalated following a local court's order for the first-ever survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 19. The petitioner claims the mosque was built on the site of the former Harihar temple, triggering unrest. On November 24, clashes broke out between protesters and security forces near the mosque. The violence led to stone pelting, arson, and tragic loss of life, with four people killed and several others, including police officers, injured. Police, however, have denied allegations of opening fire on the protesters.

In response to the violence, the Sambhal district administration imposed prohibitory orders in the area to maintain order. In addition, the Supreme Court intervened on Friday, instructing the Sambhal trial court to suspend all proceedings related to the Shahi Jama Masjid case, including the survey report. The court also ordered that the report, prepared by the advocate commissioner, be kept in a sealed cover until the Allahabad High Court hears the mosque committee's appeal.
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