Sambhal: After an “ancient” Shiva temple was found in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh on December 14, Muslim residents living in the area where the temple was found have started demolishing their own homes. These homes had been built on land that was allegedly encroached upon from the temple property. The district administration has responded by installing CCTV cameras at the site and launching an extensive anti-encroachment drive to clear the area.
One resident expressed concern about the potential loss of their belongings, saying, “At least we can salvage some of our precious things this way. If we leave the demolition to the administration, we might not be left with anything.” This reflects the residents’ apprehension about the ongoing encroachment removal process, which has drawn significant attention due to the historical significance of the site.
UP Power Corporation intensify operations in Sambhal
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has intensified its operations in Sambhal, especially in areas with significant minority populations. On Tuesday, a smart meter was installed at the residence of Samajwadi Party MP Zia-Ur Rahman, who had recently been issued a notice for an alleged illegal construction in his name. Power theft has been discovered in numerous houses across the district, with fines totaling Rs 1.3 crore already imposed.
ASP Shrish Chandra explained that the power department had requested police security for conducting anti-theft operations in areas near Jama Mosque. During one of these drives, several houses were found to be stealing electricity, prompting further investigations. The ongoing anti-encroachment and anti-power theft operations have been accompanied by heavy police deployments to ensure law and order in the area.
Violent clashes in Sambhal
The anti-encroachment drive is part of a broader context, following violent clashes in Sambhal on November 24. The violence took place during a court-ordered survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Jama Masjid. The survey was prompted by claims that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple, allegedly demolished during the Mughal period. The incident left five people dead and over 20 police officers injured. In response, the Supreme Court instructed the Sambhal trial court to halt proceedings related to the mosque until the Allahabad High Court hears the masjid committee’s challenge to the survey order.
As part of the ongoing investigation and restoration efforts around the discovered Shiva temple, local residents have reported the discovery of a well located at the edge of the mosque’s entrance. The municipality has sealed the well, and police forces have been deployed to secure the area. The administration has also initiated excavation work at the well, which had been concealed beneath a ramp, with a marble slab covering it.
The sequence of events started with the discovery of the “ancient” Shiva temple within a locked house during an anti-encroachment drive around the Shahi Jama Masjid area. The house had been abandoned by its Hindu occupants after the 1978 riots and had reportedly been encroached upon for decades. Inside the deteriorating structure, authorities uncovered a Shivling (a representation of Lord Shiva) and a Hanuman statue, further confirming the religious significance of the site. Additionally, an ancient well was found outside the temple, which was hidden under a ramp.
