Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sambhal Tomorrow, Uttar Pradesh Official Requests To Cancel

Last Updated:December 03, 2024, 18:40 IST

The Moradabad divisional commissioner said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit could lead to a "provocation" in an otherwise "normal situation"

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said senior leader Rahul Gandhi and five other party MPs from the state will visit Sambhal on December 4. (Image: PTI/File)

Soon after it was announced that leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and five other Congress MPs will visit Sambhal on Wednesday (December 4), top administration officials requested the senior leader to cancel his visit. Moradabad’s divisional commissioner said Gandhi’s visit could lead to a “provocation" in an otherwise “normal situation".

Moradabad divisional commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh said while the scenario was calm as of now, there was still tension in the area, where violence erupted during a second survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24. Protesters had gathered near the Mughal-era mosque and clashed with security personnel, leaving four persons dead and several others injured.

“The situation in Sambhal is normal right now. The markets are also opening normally there. Efforts are being made to restore the confidence of the people. The investigation of the incident is going on. The district magistrate has banned the entry of people from outside from December 10. The atmosphere is calm right now but there is still tension. If someone comes from outside, there is a possibility of something happening due to provocation. We are requesting everyone not to come to Sambhal right now, so that we can restore peace completely. The honourable leader of opposition (Rahul Gandhi) is being requested to cancel his programme right now," he said.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said Gandhi and five other party MPs from the state will visit Sambhal on Wednesday. Newly-elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to accompany the delegation, he said. Congress general secretary and UP incharge Avinash Pande will be there too, he added.

Curbs under Section 163 (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), were set to expire on December 1 and have now been extended till December 31.

Sambhal has been in the eye of the proverbial storm since November 19, when the Shahi Jama Masjid was surveyed on court orders following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.

(With PTI inputs)

Moradabad, India

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