Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said he would defy a police order and visit violence-hit Sambhal on Monday, despite heavy security measures. The move comes after UP Police issued a notice to Rai, citing potential law and order issues.
“They have issued me a notice and asked me to postpone the visit,” Rai said. “But we will go peacefully to understand the situation and the atrocities committed by the police and the government.”
The Congress leader criticised the administration’s decision to extend the ban on outsiders entering Sambhal until December 10, and accused the BJP-led government of extending restrictions to obstruct their fact-finding mission. He vowed to proceed with the trip, citing the need to investigate alleged police brutality and government injustice.
“The government is scared that the truth will be exposed. They will try to stop us, but we will still try to go. No matter how many policemen they deploy, we will go to Sambhal,” he stated.
Reacting to the police notice to Rai, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government, saying "They (BJP) don't want to let anyone go there (Sambhal). Those who commit sins always try to hide it."
The Congress delegation led by Rai is scheduled to leave for Sambhal at 12:15 p.m. today. The party chief and other leaders spent the night at the Congress office in Lucknow.
Heavy security, including local police and PAC forces, barricaded the Congress office in Lucknow to prevent the delegation's departure on Monday.
Congress leader Aradhana Mishra decried the police's actions as “total anarchy.” Security forces reportedly deployed personnel outside her residence as well.
“This is total anarchy. The people of the state want to know the truth. Is it law and order when a person is not allowed to go outside their residence?,” she said.
Tensions in Sambhal have simmered since a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on November 19, prompted by claims it was originally a Hindu temple. Clashes between protesters and police on November 24 left four people dead.
A three-member judicial committee inspected the site on Sunday, gathering statements from residents and officials.
