Stone thieves posters put up over Sambhal violence | Latest India News

The Uttar Pradesh government said on Wednesday it would compensate those involved in the Sambhal violence for public properties vandalized during Sunday’s violence and put up posters depicting “stone pelters” in public places, even as opposition lawmakers demanded a discussion in parliament on the issue.

Moradabad Divisional Commissioner AK Singh said the police have so far recovered photos and videos from CCTV cameras of 75 people suspected of being involved in stone pelting and destruction of public property. “Perpetrators of violence will be forced to pay for damage to public property,” Singh said.

He added that the recovery operation will begin immediately after the suspects are identified. Singh added that the police have identified three minors who were involved in the violence and are counseling them.

A spokesman for the Uttar Pradesh government said a reward would be offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. “The government of Uttar Pradesh is taking a strong stand against those involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters depicting stone dealers and criminals will be displayed publicly and we will demand redress. A reward may also be offered for information leading to their arrest,” an official spokesman said.

On Sunday, four people were killed and many, including police officers, injured in Sambhal after violence broke out over a court-ordered inspection of the city’s Shahi Jama Masjid mosque in the Kot Garvi area following a petition alleging that a once a Harihar temple.

So far, at least 25 people have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the riots, including two women. The police have registered seven first information reports (FIRs) naming 25 people, including Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rahman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of a local Samajwadi Party MLA. Over 2,000 unidentified people have been named in the FIR.

Meanwhile, the situation in the city returned to normal, but the deployment of forces was maintained. Divisional Commissioner Singh said, “The situation in Sambhal is normal. The administration is in constant contact with people and actions are underway to restore trust. Forces were deployed at the scene as a precaution. An analysis will be carried out to decide whether to restore internet services.”

On Wednesday, Samajwadi Party parliamentarians demanded a discussion on the Sambhal violence in Parliament and an inquiry under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

“We want a discussion on the Sambhal incident. Many of our parliamentarians sent notices to the Speaker, asking for a discussion on this matter. We want to raise our voice on the floor of the House on the inhumane behavior of the police and administration towards people,” said SP MP Dimple Yadav.

Sambhal MP Barq on repeated his claim that the administration included him in the FIR as part of a ‘cover-up’.

“The police mentioned my name in the report to hide the truth, to cover up their negligence and so that I wouldn’t be able to help my people. I will continue to raise my voice for rights and justice for my people.” said the Samajwadi Party MP in New Delhi.

SP MP Dharmendra Yadav demanded an inquiry monitored by a Supreme Court judge. “The investigation into the Sambhal incident should be conducted under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge as no one trusts the administration anymore. The administration is behind the entire incident,” he said.

Autopsy reports of the four deceased – Ayan, Bilal, Naeem and Kaif – were released on Tuesday but have not been made public.

Local police confirmed that no bullets were found during autopsies since they left the bodies of all four men. Quoting reports, he said Ayan suffered gunshot wounds in the abdomen while the other three were injured in the chest, he added.

However, the police maintained their claim that they did not shoot at protesters. “The cops only fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd which started pelting stones,” said Divisional Commissioner Singh.