NEW DELHI: Three people were killed in clashes between mob and security personnel during a mosque survey in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal on Sunday, Moradabad divisional commissioner told news agency PTI.
The violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque, which the Hindu side claims was built on the site of an ancient Harihar temple belonging to Lord Vishnu.
Around two hours after the survey began, a group of protesters gathered at the location and began pelting stones at security personnel, leading to injuries among officials.
A policeman and two persons amongst the mob were also injured and were taken to hospital.
The situation forced the police to resort to lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several protesters were arrested in the aftermath of the incident.
After the incidents, the sub-district magistrate issued a notice prohibiting the citizens from buying or collecting stones, soda bottles, or any flammable or explosive material on their roof.
If anyone does this, strict action will be taken against them. Orders have also been given to the Nagar Palika that if any building construction material is lying on the roads, then it should be confiscated immediately, the notice read.
<p>Police notice<br></p>
A local court had ordered the survey following a petition filed by Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed that the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babar after demolishing the Harihar temple.
Given the area's communal sensitivity, authorities are taking significant precautions. The mosque's history includes an incident in 1976 when an imam was killed by a member of another community, leading to widespread violence and a month-long curfew.
The mosque is located roughly 150-200 meters from the 'Kalki' temple.
The ruling BJP strongly condemned the stone-pelting incident, warning that those responsible for disrupting law and order will face strict action.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, however, alleged the violence over the survey of a mosque was orchestrated by the BJP, the government and the administration "to divert attention from electoral malpractice".
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also alleged "electronic booth capturing" during the just-concluded bypolls to nine assembly seats in the state and said there would be clarity if the Election Commission can get a forensic examination of the EVMs done.
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