<p>Sambhal (UP): The main supplier of weapons during last year's violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal was arrested on Thursday, police said.</p>.<p>Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said so far, 79 people have been arrested in connection with the riots that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24, 2024.</p>.<p>Gulam, son of Mukhtar and a resident of Deepa Sarai, was taken into custody for providing arms during the violence, the officer said, adding there are 20 cases registered against him.</p>.Two arrested for last year's violence over Sambhal mosque survey.<p>"During interrogation, he revealed that on November 23, he spoke to one Sarik Sata, who instructed him to prevent the survey at any cost. Sata, who fled the country using a fake passport, was involved in selling stolen cars. Gulam received the weapons from him and used to supply them across India," Vishnoi told reporters.</p>.<p>Police recovered a 9mm pistol, two .32 bore pistols, and 15 live cartridges from Gulam, some of which were of Czechoslovakian and British origin.</p>.<p>"During the November 24 violence, their leaders told them that this (mosque) was a 500-year-old relic of Babur and must be protected. Additionally, they targeted a lawyer who frequently filed petitions, instructing that he be eliminated," Vishnoi added.</p>.<p>The accused had deleted significant data from his mobile phone, which will now be sent to a forensic lab. Police have also found videos related to gold smuggling on his device.</p>.Photos of 74 suspects from Sambhal violence pasted in public places.<p>When asked about possible political links, Vishnoi said, "In the 2014 elections, Shafiqur Rahman Barq contested on a Samajwadi Party ticket. At his behest, Gulam carried out a firing incident against Suhail Iqbal, for which a case was registered against him. Gulam worked for the Sarik Sata gang while staying in India." The police investigation also revealed several WhatsApp groups linked to the riots.</p>.<p>"One such group, named 'Sansad Sambhal,' had messages from November 22 calling people to gather. Some responded, while others did not. The matter is under investigation," Vishnoi said.</p>.<p>The accused reportedly communicated with Sata through the Zangi app and even contacted his wife multiple times on her mobile phone.</p>.<p>"We have seized Sarik Sata's wife's phone and interrogated her as well," the officer added.</p>.<p>Four people were killed in a riot that broke out on November 24 following a Court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area of the city while several others were left injured in the episode.</p>
<p>Sambhal (UP): The main supplier of weapons during last year's violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal was arrested on Thursday, police said.</p>.<p>Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said so far, 79 people have been arrested in connection with the riots that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24, 2024.</p>.<p>Gulam, son of Mukhtar and a resident of Deepa Sarai, was taken into custody for providing arms during the violence, the officer said, adding there are 20 cases registered against him.</p>.Two arrested for last year's violence over Sambhal mosque survey.<p>"During interrogation, he revealed that on November 23, he spoke to one Sarik Sata, who instructed him to prevent the survey at any cost. Sata, who fled the country using a fake passport, was involved in selling stolen cars. Gulam received the weapons from him and used to supply them across India," Vishnoi told reporters.</p>.<p>Police recovered a 9mm pistol, two .32 bore pistols, and 15 live cartridges from Gulam, some of which were of Czechoslovakian and British origin.</p>.<p>"During the November 24 violence, their leaders told them that this (mosque) was a 500-year-old relic of Babur and must be protected. Additionally, they targeted a lawyer who frequently filed petitions, instructing that he be eliminated," Vishnoi added.</p>.<p>The accused had deleted significant data from his mobile phone, which will now be sent to a forensic lab. Police have also found videos related to gold smuggling on his device.</p>.Photos of 74 suspects from Sambhal violence pasted in public places.<p>When asked about possible political links, Vishnoi said, "In the 2014 elections, Shafiqur Rahman Barq contested on a Samajwadi Party ticket. At his behest, Gulam carried out a firing incident against Suhail Iqbal, for which a case was registered against him. Gulam worked for the Sarik Sata gang while staying in India." The police investigation also revealed several WhatsApp groups linked to the riots.</p>.<p>"One such group, named 'Sansad Sambhal,' had messages from November 22 calling people to gather. Some responded, while others did not. The matter is under investigation," Vishnoi said.</p>.<p>The accused reportedly communicated with Sata through the Zangi app and even contacted his wife multiple times on her mobile phone.</p>.<p>"We have seized Sarik Sata's wife's phone and interrogated her as well," the officer added.</p>.<p>Four people were killed in a riot that broke out on November 24 following a Court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area of the city while several others were left injured in the episode.</p>