Friday prayers pass off peacefully at Sambhal mosque
Sambhal(UP) (PTI): Amid heightened security measures, Friday prayers passed off peacefully at the Shahi Jama Masjid and other places in the district which witnessed violence following survey of the Mughal era mosque.
Ahead of the prayers, district authorities had issued an appeal urging residents to offer prayers in nearby mosques rather than gathering at the Jama Masjid.
In addition to police personnel, extra CCTV cameras were installed around the mosque to monitor the situation.
Drones were also deployed to further enhance surveillance and deter any potential disturbances, officials said.
Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said security measures have been reinforced at sensitive religious sites in the area and around the court in Chandausi.
Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
Violence erupted on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and scores of others were injured in the violence.
Earlier in the day, a court here directed the court-appointed commissioner to submit within 10 days the survey report on the mosque and fixed January 8 as the next date of hearing.
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Sambhal trial court to temporarily halt proceedings in the case and its survey while directing the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in the violence-hit town.
On November 19, a court of civil judge (senior division) of Sambhal passed an ex-parte order for a survey of the mosque by an advocate commissioner after taking note of a plea of the Hindu side that claimed the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526 after demolishing a temple.
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Student killed, six others injured after auto rickshaw overturns in UP's Ballia
Ballia (PTI): A 21-year-old student died and six others were seriously injured when the auto rickshaw they were travelling in overturned in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district on Friday, police said.
The accident occurred near Naurangiya village of Ubhaon area on Friday morning, they said.
The auto rickshaw, full of passengers, overturned while trying to save a motorcyclist who suddenly came in front of the auto, Station House Officer Vipin Singh said.
Upon receiving information about the accident police reached the spot and took the injured passengers along with the auto driver to a hospital, Singh said.
Shilpi Maurya, a student was declared dead by doctors while the other injured are undergoing treatment, he said.
The body has been sent for postmortem, he added.
