Reopening of temple in Sambhal
A temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, closed since 1978, has been reopened.
Discovery of the temple
The temple came to light after Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, the patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, alerted officials about its presence.
Cleaning and restoration
During the cleaning process, officials discovered a ramp built over an ancient well located outside the temple. The ramp was removed as part of the restoration work to return the site to its original state.
Supervision by local authorities
The cleaning and excavation work was overseen by Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya and Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi to ensure proper care and restoration of the temple premises.
Security and infrastructure
After the temple's reopened on December 14, police security was deployed around the premises to maintain peace. Additionally, arrangements for electricity supply were made, and CCTV cameras were installed to ensure the safety of the site.
Morning aarti
A morning aarti (ritual prayer) was performed at the Hanuman Temple. This marked the first religious ceremony held in the temple after its closure in 1978.
Violence in Sambhal
The reopening of the temple comes weeks after violent clashes erupted in Sambhal on November 24 during a court-ordered mosque survey. The violence, which involved locals and outsiders, led to stone-pelting and arson, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others.
Campaign against encroachments and power theft
In response to the violence and as part of ongoing efforts, the administration launched a campaign to address encroachments and electricity theft in areas surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque in the region.
Electricity theft and uncovering irregularities
As part of the anti-theft drive, district officials uncovered that 150 to 200 houses in the area were illegally drawing power from a single distribution unit. The authorities are working to tackle the issue and make Sambhal 100% electricity theft-free.
Action against loudspeaker misuse
In addition to the encroachment and electricity theft issues, a mosque imam in Sambhal was fined Rs 2 lakh for allegedly using a loudspeaker at an excessive volume, further underscoring the administration's efforts to maintain law and order in the region.