Monitoring violence in Sambhal: Photos of rioters to be placed in public places

Pictures of people whose involvement in Sunday’s violence in Sambhal has been confirmed through photos and videos will be put up on hoardings at public places to seek public assistance to establish their identity and take steps to arrest them, said Moradabad divisional commissioner AK Singha on Wednesday.

Sambhal district falls under the jurisdiction of Moradabad division.

Singh said police have recovered photos and CCTV video footage of as many as 75 people suspected of being involved in the violence so far. He said the process of recovering photos of other rioters was still ongoing as investigations intensified to establish their identities and initiate remedial action for damage caused to public property during the violence.

“Recovery of losses due to property damage will be enforced from perpetrators of violence,” Singh said.

The violence raised concerns about law and order in the city, prompting authorities to take swift and decisive action to ensure accountability and prevent further unrest. Efforts to find the remaining suspects are ongoing and authorities have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation.

So far, at least 25 people, including two women, have been arrested and jailed on suspicion of involvement in the riots. The police registered seven FIRs, naming 25 people, including prominent figures such as Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of a local Samajwadi Party MLA. Additionally, over 2,000 unidentified people have been named in the FIR.

Violence broke out in Sambhal on November 24 during the second round of searches of the Shahi mosque. Four people were killed and over 20 policemen and officials were injured in clashes between police and riot participants.