Sambhal district administration prohibits entry of outsiders till December 10

NEW DELHI: The Sambhal district administration has restricted entry of outsiders until December 10 to maintain peace and order.

According to district magistrate Rajendra Pensiya's statement, "No outsider, any social organisation or any public representative can enter into the borders of the district without seeking the permission of the competent authority till December 10."

This decision coincided with a planned visit by a 15-member Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation to investigate the violence following the Shahi Jama Masjid complex survey.

Opposition leader Mata Prasad Pandey, who was to head the SP delegation, stated that home secretary Sanjay Prasad requested him to avoid visiting Sambhal.

Pandey confirmed that the district magistrate informed him about the extended entry ban until December 10, leading him to consult with his party office about future actions.

Pandey suggested that the government's restrictions were aimed at concealing irregularities in Sambhal. Substantial security forces were positioned near his residence since Friday evening.

SP state president Shyam Lal Pal had announced that the delegation would visit Sambhal on Saturday following party chief Akhilesh Yadav's instructions to report on the local violence.

The delegation was to include prominent SP leaders, including Mata Prasad Pandey, Lal Bihari Yadav, Shyamlal Pal, and several MPs including Ziaur Rahman Barq, who faces charges related to the November 24 violence for alleged provocative behaviour.

The SP had previously delayed their delegation's visit after receiving assurances from the director general of police regarding a fair investigation. Congress state president Ajay Rai announced their party's planned visit for December 2.

Tensions in Sambhal escalated following the initial survey of the city's Jama Masjid on November 19, conducted under local court orders. The petitioner claims the mosque was built over a former Harihar temple.

Violent protests on November 24 resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries, including police personnel. Authorities have denied firing at protesters opposing the survey and have implemented prohibitory orders in the district.