Rahul Gandhi turns back from Delhi-UP border, was denied entry on way to Sambhal
Rahul Gandhi turns back from Delhi-UP border, was denied entry on way to Sambhal
M.U.H
04/12/202417
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who attempted to visit the violence-hit Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh, returned from the Ghazipur border between Delhi and UP after being stopped by the police, leading to hours of high-voltage drama.
The police blocked the highway with barricades and stopped the Congress convoy when they reached the spot at around 11 am. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, stepped out of the vehicle and held discussions with senior police officers but were not permitted to proceed further.
Severe chaos unfolded as massive traffic jams and congestion ensued, with hundreds of Congress workers attempting to breach the barricades.
After they were blocked, Congress General Secretary KC Venugaopal tweeted, "We are determined to meet the victims’ families in the interest of peace and communal harmony in our country, the UP government must allow the delegation to visit Sambhal".
Sambhal authorities had requested neighbouring districts to stop the Congress leaders before they enter the district. The District Magistrate has written to officers in Bulandshahr, Amroha, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, appealing to them to intercept the Gandhis at the border. He has also instructed the officials to closely monitor Rahul Gandhi's activities on his way to Sambhal.
Barricades have been placed at various locations, and vehicle inspections have been initiated on the Delhi-Sambhal route. Massive traffic jams were reported at different points on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
The Congress leaders are attempting to visit Sambhal amid restrictions barring the entry of outsiders to the area until December 10, which were imposed after violence erupted over a survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, following a petition that claimed the site previously had a Harihar temple.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (formerly known as Section 144) has been invoked in Sambhal, prohibiting the gathering of five or more people. "If they come, then they will be served a notice,” Superintendent of Police of Sambhal Krishan Kumar said.
Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, along with KC Venugopal, left for Sambhal from Delhi by road at around 10.15 am and were expected to reach there by around 1 pm, as per the schedule. After the visit, they were expected to return by 2.30 pm and reach Delhi by 3.30 pm, party sources said. Along with the Gandhis, five Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh are also expected to visit Sambhal.
Congress leaders slammed the directions and restrictions imposed by the Sambhal authorities to bar the entry of the party delegation. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it "a dictatorship" and added, "We were going to Sambhal peacefully, but we are being stopped. There were riots in Sambhal, which is why we are going there. We have the right to go there". Congress UP chief Ajay Rai called it "the murder of democracy through the blatant misuse of police".
PAK BULLETS FOUND IN SAMBHAL
The Uttar Pradesh Police said that a forensic team investigating the Sambhal violence site recovered six empty cartridges made in Pakistan. Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar also stated that the assistance of the anti-terror agency NIA will be sought in the matter.
"The forensic team had to reach the spot today (Tuesday) and investigate the incident that occurred on 24th November. Some shells buried in the ground have been recovered. 'POF', ie, Pakistan Ordnance Factory, is written on one shell, and 'FN Star' is written on another shell," the officer said.
He termed it a “very serious matter and help from other agencies will also be taken for its investigation. NIA's help will also be taken”.
