Sambhal: Three Muslim youth were killed in Sambhal Uttar Pradesh on Sunday when state police personnel opened fire on locals protesting a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
The deaths were confirmed by CO Anuj Chaudhary, according to multiple news reports. The deceased trio has been identified as Noman, Naeem, 28, and Mohd Bilal Ansari, 25.
The clashes began when a team entered the mosque for a second survey around 7am, accompanied by members of a Hindutva group. A video from the incident allegedly shows the survey team and the group chanting slogans.
The survey stems from a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, alleging that the historic 16th-century mosque was built after demolishing a temple during the Mughal era. Hindutva groups accompanied the survey team, which was overseen by Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Raghav, the District Magistrate, and the Superintendent of Police.
The mosque, built under the direction of Emperor Babar, is recognised as a historic monument on the Sambhal district’s official website. The first survey was conducted on November 19.
