On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Misra Mona accused the state government of placing Congress leaders under ‘house arrest’ to prevent them from visiting violence-hit Sambhal.
Misra condemned the government’s actions, calling them ‘anarchy’ and ‘hooliganism’.
State Congress President Ajay Rai, along with other party leaders, had planned to visit Sambhal to assess the situation following violent clashes that resulted in five deaths and injuries to over 30 policemen.
However, the Lucknow Police issued a notice to Rai, urging him to postpone the visit due to restrictions imposed by the Sambhal District Magistrate under Section 163 BNSS, which aims to maintain communal harmony and public order in the sensitive region.
Despite this, Misra claimed that the police stationed outside the homes of other Congress leaders prevented them from leaving.
She described the situation as government ‘anarchy’, stating, “A painful incident has occurred in Sambhal, where five people were shot and killed, and around 30 policemen were injured. This is not a small matter.”
“A Congress delegation led by state president Ajay Rai intended to conduct a fact-finding mission and appeal for peace. Since last night, I have been put under house arrest. The police force deployed here is visible proof. This is purely the anarchy of the government,” Misra added.
Misra further accused the administration of using Section 163 as a cover to mask its failures.
“The government is citing Section 163 to stop us, but it applies to Sambhal, not Lucknow. This is the government’s complete hooliganism,” she asserted.
Rai Criticizes Timing Of Sambhal Restrictions Ahead Of Congress Visit
Earlier, Rai criticized the timing of the restrictions, pointing out that the ban on outsiders entering Sambhal expired on 30 November, and the Congress planned its visit for 2 December.
Rai told IANS, “They issued the notice under Section 163 this morning. However, we remain determined to proceed in our own Gandhian manner.”
This follows a similar incident on Saturday when police stopped a Samajwadi Party delegation, led by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, from visiting Sambhal.
The violence in Sambhal erupted during a court-mandated survey of the disputed Mughal-era Jama Masjid, which is at the center of claims involving a Harihar temple.
The clashes resulted in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage, prompting authorities to impose restrictions, deploy heavy security, and suspend Internet services in the region.
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