A significant security deployment has been initiated in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district as authorities prepare to clear illegal encroachments near a historic mosque. The operation, scheduled for Tuesday, has led to the mobilization of police and paramilitary forces to ensure law and order.
Massive Security Blanket for Sensitive Operation
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kuldeep Singh confirmed a robust security arrangement is in place. Adequate police force, including nine Station House Officers (SHOs), three inspector-rank officers, and one company each of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Response Force (RRF), has been deployed. In a modern tactical move, a team equipped with drones has also been engaged for surveillance around the Shahi Jama Masjid and its cemetery.
This high-alert situation follows a recent flag march conducted by police and district administration officials on November 24. Officials stated the march was part of routine efforts to instill a sense of security among citizens. Notably, the date marked one year since violent clashes erupted in the city, resulting in four fatalities.
Administration and Political Oversight
District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia emphasized the routine nature of such security exercises. He explained that full police and administrative teams carry out flag marches regularly, both in mornings and evenings, including at the local level with district officers. The objective, he stated, is to build public trust and a feeling of safety towards the police and administration.
The law-and-order situation and development in Sambhal recently came under direct scrutiny from the state's top leadership. On November 17, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a review meeting in the district. He assessed ongoing works and directed officials to develop Sambhal in a phased manner, declaring the district's development a key government priority.
His instructions included a clear roadmap:
- First Phase: Restoration of ancient pilgrimage sites and traditional wells.
- Second Phase: Focus on projects like a museum and light-and-sound facilities.
Adityanath also called for expediting the construction of the District Court, jail, and a PAC unit. He reviewed multiple departments and noted that Sambhal has 68 pilgrimage sites and 19 wells, which the government is working to identify and restore.
Background: The Trigger of Past Violence
The current tension traces back to November 24, 2024, when violence broke out during a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of a Mughal-era mosque. The survey was part of a legal process initiated after a petition by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple. The clashes led to the deaths of four people and left several police personnel and locals injured.
The impending action to remove encroachments near the Shahi Jama Masjid cemetery is therefore being handled with extreme caution, given this recent history of communal strife. The administration's layered approach—combining heavy ground forces, drone technology, and consistent public engagement through marches—aims to prevent any recurrence of violence while executing its administrative mandate.
