Muslims proactively raze own homes near Sambhal's 'ancient' temple, fearing Yogi government action

Muslims in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal are proactively razing their own houses in the area where the 'ancient' temple was discovered last week, The Times of India reported.

These houses were purportedly built after 'encroaching on temple property.'

The district administration there has installed CCTVs and launched an anti-encroachment drive.

A resident, requesting anonymity, told the publication "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 comes even as the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has continued with raids in the minority-dominated areas of Sambhal.

Amidst heavy security arrangements, a smart electricity meter was installed on Tuesday at the residence of Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman on Tuesday, officials said.

SDO-1 of Sambhal Santosh Tripathi on Tuesday said the team (of electricity department) has gone there to install a smart meter at Rehman's residence in Deepasarai locality. The earlier meter is being replaced with a smart meter, he said.

Tripathi said more meters are being changed in Deepasarai and police have reached there for security arrangements.

Additional Superintendent of Police Shrish Chandra said (smart) meters are being installed in Deepasarai and they have visited the place for security arrangements.

Power theft has reportedly been discovered at dozens of houses and fines worth Rs 1.3 crore have been imposed, the publication reported.

Sambhal is witnessing an anti-encroachment drive after the violence that broke out there on November 24, when a court ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Jama Masjid. Five people were killed and around 20 police personnel were injured in the incident.

The survey was ordered based on the claim that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple which was allegedly destroyed during the Mughal period.

The Supreme Court on November 29 directed that the Sambhal trial court must halt proceedings against the mosque till the Allahabad High Court can hear the masjid committee's challenge to the survey.

A well was discovered near the old temple around the mosque, and the district authorities have sealed it.

Troubles in Sambhal began when an 'ancient ' Shiva temple was found hidden in a locked house during an anti-encroachment drive around the Jama Masjid area. The house was abandoned by its Hindu inhabitants after the 1978 riots and had reportedly been encroached on for decades. Officials found a Shivling and a Hanuman statue inside the deteriorating structure.

The ASI has been asked to carry out carbon dating to find out the temple's age. The Sambhal administration has launched a probe into the ownership of the property. The plan is to restore the temple to rightful owners and take action against encroachers.

(With PTI inputs)