Sambhal firing: Police claim deaths caused by bullets from within, videos suggest otherwise

As the police firing in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, in which five Muslims died after a court-ordered survey at a Mughal-era mosque began, drew wide criticism for excessive police action, the police claimed that the deaths were not caused by their firing as they had used non-lethal rubber bullets.

However, eyewitnesses and videos circulating on social media suggest that police officers used service firearms and country-made weapons to disperse the gathering.

The violence erupted during the survey of the Mughal-era mosque when rumours spread that the team had begun excavation work. This belief, reportedly sparked by the emptying of the mosque's ablution tank for measurements, triggered a gathering of local residents seeking clarification. Tensions escalated after allegations of offensive language and a baton charge by the police, prompting stone-pelting from the crowd.

While the police claim they did not use lethal force, stating that only tear gas, rubber bullets, and non-lethal measures were employed, videos circulating on social media appear to show police officers firing at the crowd. One widely shared video suggests the use of a pellet gun, raising doubts about the police’s narrative, according to The Wire report.

Zafar Ali, chairperson of the mosque’s managing committee, who was present at the scene, alleged that he directly witnessed police officers firing bullets at the crowd. He stated that no bullets were fired from the public side while he was present. Ali also claimed that the police were carrying country-made weapons, which further fuelled the tension. His statement clashes with the police’s assertion that no country-made firearms were used.

In response to Ali's accusations, the police called his claims "misleading" and "politically motivated." The district administration held a press conference, dismissing Ali's testimony as part of a broader conspiracy to protect the alleged culprits and shift public sympathy towards the attackers.

The administration also accused Ali of spreading misinformation about the cause of the violence, particularly regarding rumours that excavation work had begun at the mosque, which contributed to the unrest. These rumours, according to Ali, had sparked fears that the mosque was being desecrated, although the authorities later clarified that no such excavation was taking place.

The police have suggested that the deaths occurred due to crossfire between the mob members, but investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the violence was further fuelled by accusations from political leaders, including SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, who has called for murder charges to be filed against the police officers involved. Yadav also alleged that the incident was orchestrated by the BJP to distract attention from its surprising victory in the recent Kundarki bypoll election.

The SP chief claimed that the police fired bullets with both their service and private weapons, adding that some officers even vandalised their own vehicles to create confusion. While the police fiercely denied these allegations, the situation continued to escalate.