1978 Sambhal riots: Yogi govt orders fresh probe, seeks report within week

New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a fresh investigation into the 1978 riots in Sambhal, following a demand for accountability and justice. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Sambhal police to re-examine case files and submit a detailed report within a week.

A letter from the Deputy Secretary of the Home (Police) Department appointed an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) to lead the inquiry. In response, the Superintendent of Police (SP) has reached out to the District Magistrate (DM), requesting the appointment of an administrative officer to assist in the investigation.

On January 7, Sambhal SP KK Bishnoi wrote to Dr. Rajendra Pensia, the District Officer, informing him that UP Legislative Council member Shrichandra Sharma had called for an inquiry into the 1978 riots. The letter also mentioned that the UP Home Department had sent instructions to proceed with the investigation.

The Sambhal riots, which occurred in 1978, are remembered for their intense communal violence, arson, and widespread displacement of Hindu families. Survivors have reported that several Hindus were killed during the unrest, forcing many to flee the region.

The decision to reopen the investigation comes just after the reopening of the Kartik Mahadev Temple in Sambhal, which had been closed for 46 years. The temple's reopening followed a violent incident during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024. The event prompted renewed interest in the 1978 riots, with former residents who had fled the area expressing their hopes for justice and reconciliation.

The joint investigation is expected to delve deeper into the events of the 1978 violence, to bring clarity, justice, and accountability for the victims.

With IANS inputs