BAREILLY: Police have released photos of nearly 100 people, including several minors, for identification in order to check their alleged involvement in the violence that erupted during a court-ordered survey of the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on Sunday morning. The unrest left five dead and several injured, including 20 police personnel.
Officials said the photos, obtained using footage from CCTV cameras and videos, will be displayed in public areas across Sambhal and circulated on social media. An official spokesperson for the Uttar Pradesh govt added, “The state will recover damages for public property destroyed from those involved in the violence. Posters of stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed at public locations, and a reward may be announced for information leading to arrests. The govt is taking a firm stance against those responsible for the unrest.”
Videos shared by the police show women and children throwing stones at police officers while minors were allegedly used as shields by rioters. “We are using all resources, including CCTV footage, to identify suspects,” an official said. Seven FIRs have been registered by the police and district administration, while families of four deceased victims have filed separate murder FIRs against unidentified individuals. Families claimed the deaths resulted from police firing, but police have maintained that bullets were fired by rioters using country-made pistols.
One of the deceased, Mohd Bilal, was shot during the violence. His brother, Mohd Salman, said: “My brother went to the shop when violence erupted. On his way home, he was shot during police firing. At the hospital, he told me he was shot by the police. He even spoke to me face-to-face before being referred to another hospital, where he later succumbed. We just want justice. Violence due to religion must stop.”
Speaking about the process of identifying those responsible for the violence, divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh told TOI, “A total of 27 people, including three women and three minors, were held by police in connection with the violence. The minors were sent to a juvenile home, while others were sent to jail. We have identified 74 individuals using videos and pictures, and efforts are underway to identify others seen in the footage. We have shared their images to help the public assist in their identification.”
By Tuesday, shops had reopened, traffic had resumed, and the atmosphere in Sambhal was peaceful. However, another video surfaced showing rioters breaking CCTV cameras outside shops. Singh added that peace is being maintained in the area, with police deployed to ensure law and order. “Internet services were suspended to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation through social media and we will soon review the decision to restore online connectivity.”
Moradabad DIG Muniraj G said that no innocent person would face legal action, adding, “The police cyber cell is using all available resources to identify culprits.”
Meanwhile, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid released a video on Wednesday urging locals to not converge at the mosque but instead offer Friday prayers at home or nearby mosques in view of the sensitive situation in the town.