Sambhal violence 2024: Probe panel claims unrest 'pre-planned', links SP MP, MLA

NEW DELHI: Judicial commission report on the 2024 Sambhal violence claimed that the unrest was "pre-planned" and mentioned the role of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia ur Rahman Barq, SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Suhail Iqbal."False information was spread among the Muslim community over survey. The report also states that the bullet which caused deaths were not fired by the Police, and that hooligans nad attempted to loot Police weapons," reported news agency ANI citing the report, which was tabled on Uttar Pradesh assembly on Wednesday.Last year in August, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had highlighted that the report, which the judicial commission had submitted, revealed how a conspiracy for riot unfolded in 2024.The three-member panel had met the CM and submitted its report concerning the violence that erupted near the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24 in 2024 during an ASI-monitored survey of the mosque. The unrest resulted in four fatalities and injuries to several others. In the document, a sharp demographic shift is observed.Highlighting major demographic shifts in Sambhal, the report notes that the Hindu population declined from 45 percent at the time of Independence to 15 percent currently, while Muslims now constitute 85 percent of the population.Speaking at the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony for various development projects in Sambhal, the UP CM asserted that the state is transitioning from "appeasement" to "satisfaction," leaving no room for any demographic shift. Adityanath linked the violence to a history of “targeted actions” against Hindus under previous state governments.“The judicial commission submitted its report on the Sambhal incident on Thursday, revealing parts of how a conspiracy for riot unfolded in 2024," CM Adityanath said.According to the PTI, the panel traces Sambhal's history of communal strife to a 1953 Shia-Sunni clash, with major riots occurring in 1956, 1959, 1962, when Jan Sangh MLA Mahesh Gupta was stabbed, 1966, and 1976, when a mosque committee dispute and the murder of a maulvi triggered temple attacks and curfews.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.