UP Congress Cancels Sambhal March After Cops Stop Them From Visiting Riot-Hit Site: 'Total Anarchy'

The Uttar Pradesh Congress cancelled its planned march to the violence-affected Sambhal on Monday after a confrontation with police outside its office in Lucknow.

State Congress chief Ajay Rai said the march was postponed after authorities cited restrictions on the entry of outsiders into Sambhal until December 10.

"The DCP and other police officials have said they will inform us when the restrictions are lifted. The day the police inform us, a delegation of the Congress party will visit Sambhal," Rai stated.

Chaos erupted outside the UP Congress office when police blocked Rai and his delegation from departing for Sambhal. Security forces stopped Rai's car at the office gate, triggering protests from party workers, who shouted slogans and caused a commotion. Rai and other leaders sat down and staged a protest, accusing the authorities of obstructing their efforts to assess the situation in Sambhal.

Earlier that day, Rai had announced his intention to defy police orders and visit Sambhal, despite heavy security measures. This came after UP Police issued a notice to Rai, warning of 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."

Rai criticised the administration's decision to extend the ban on outsiders entering Sambhal until December 10, accusing the BJP-led government of using the restrictions to prevent their fact-finding mission.

He vowed to continue with the trip, stressing 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 declared.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav also condemned the Yogi Adityanath government, stating, "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, was scheduled to depart for Sambhal at 12:15 p.m. The party leaders had spent the night at the Congress office in Lucknow. Heavy security, including local police and PAC forces, barricaded the office to prevent the delegation's departure.

Congress leader Aradhana Mishra condemned the police actions as "total anarchy," adding that security forces had also been deployed outside her residence.

"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 questioned.

Tensions in Sambhal have been rising since a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on November 19, prompted by claims that it was originally a Hindu temple. Clashes between protesters and police on November 24 resulted in four deaths. A three-member judicial committee inspected the site on Sunday, gathering statements from residents and officials.

(With ANI inputs)