Sambhal violence: Police to seek arrest warrants against 91 accused

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police have decided to approach the court to get non-bailable arrest warrants issued against 91 absconding accused who were allegedly involved in the violence that broke outside the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24 last year. In the incident, where police and locals engaged in a conflict, five people died, and several were injured in police firing.

Superintendent of Police (S) Sambhal Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said that the police have arrested 54 accused so far, including six women who pelted stones at police on the day of violence. Ninety-one more, who have either taken shelter in other states or are at their relatives’ places in the nearby districts, are on the police radar for their involvement, The Indian Express reported.

“We will approach the court to get the non-bailable warrants to hasten the arrest process. None will be spared,” TIE quoted the officer.

Recently, Adnan Mohammed, a 30-year-old resident of the Deepa Sarai locality, was arrested by the police. Mohammed allegedly fired at the SP during the violence. Forty-five-year-old Zikra Khatun was arrested for allegedly pelting stones at senior police officials during the violence.

A local court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid following a suit claiming that it was built after destroying a temple. On November 19, the court allowed the appointment of an advocate commissioner for the survey and on the 24th of the month, a second survey was being carried out when the violence broke out.