Sambhal violence: UP government to put up posters of ‘stone pelters’ and reimburse damage costs

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has announced strict measures against those involved in the recent Sambhal violence. An official told PTI on Wednesday that protesters will be held financially responsible for damage to public property and posters of people identified as “stone pelters” will be displayed in public spaces.

Violence broke out on Sunday during a court-ordered inspection of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area following claims that a Harihar temple once existed at the site. Four people were killed and several people, including police officers, were injured in the clashes.

Sambhal police have released photos of the alleged perpetrators and have so far identified nine people. Social assistance is being called to identify other people, some of whom were masked.

“The government takes a firm stance. The wrongdoers will be publicly identified and compensation will be recovered. A reward may also be offered for information leading to their arrest,” the spokesman said.

Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said damage assessment was ongoing and noted that police vehicles, transformers, electrical wires and even the mosque itself were damaged in the violence.

State ministers Dharmaveer Prajapati and Narendra Kashyap reiterated the government’s decision to recover losses from the rioters and impose stringent action.
This approach mirrors a similar initiative during the 2020 anti-CAA protests, where posters depicting alleged vandals were put up but later removed by court order.

Police have so far arrested 25 people and registered seven FIRs. Those named include Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Sohail Iqbal, son of local MLA Iqbal Mehmood and over 2,750 unidentified people.

A magisterial investigation was launched. Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi assured that the situation was now under control and stressed that those responsible would face strict consequences.