New Delhi: Zia Ur Rehman Barq incited the crowd by delivering ‘provocative speech’ for political gains two days before clashes erupted at the Shahi Jama Masjid during a court-mandated survey of the mosque, says the FIR lodged against the Samajwadi Party (SP) MP from Sambhal. The FIR also names as accused Suhail Iqbal, son of Samajwadi Party MLA from Sambhal Iqbal Mehmood, along with 700-800 unknown persons.
According to the FIR, Barq allegedly delivered ‘provocative speech’ on 22 November—three days after the first survey was conducted at Shahi Jama Masjid at the directions of a local court hearing a petition claiming a temple once stood at the site.
After performing namaz, Barq gathered a crowd without permission, the FIR alleges. It also states that Iqbal told the crowd that Barq is with them, adding, “We won’t let anything happen to you … fulfill your agendas,” which further made the crowd “aggressive”.
So far, police have apprehended 25 including two women and several minors. All accused have been sent to judicial custody; and the minors to a juvenile home.
Seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence that has claimed four lives, according to official figures. All of the four deceased suffered gunshot injuries. They have both entry and exit wounds, indicating they were shot from a close range.
As ThePrint reported earlier, Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Bishnoi maintained the police did not have permission to open fire, and that “miscreants” fired the shots that led to loss of life. However, local residents and family members of the deceased have claimed the men were killed in police firing.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party legislator Zia Ur Rehman Barq has not been arrested or served a notice so far, SP Bishnoi confirmed to ThePrint.
Denying the allegations, Barq termed it a “conspiracy”. He told the media Sunday, “I was not even in the state yesterday, let alone in Sambhal. I had gone to Bengaluru for a meeting, but a case was filed against me. This is a conspiracy by the police administration.”
The FIR against Barq also mentions that though officials urged the crowd not to obstruct the survey on 24 November, some individuals part of the crowd began pelting stones, abused police personnel, and also vandalised police vehicles. It also states that someone from the crowd fired at the circle officer with the intention to kill him.
According to the FIR, the situation took a violent turn around 8:45 am Sunday after a crowd of 800-900 assembled outside the mosque area, raising slogans. Registered on a complaint by a police official, the FIR further alleges that 40-50 men tried to snatch weapons and cartridges from the police, and even looted bags of tear gas shells.
On Monday, Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav accused the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government of “orchestrating the riot” in Sambhal and demanded the suspension of police and district administration officials “responsible” for the loss of life. He also asked that murder cases be filed against the ‘erring’ officials.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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