By Manish Sahu
Almost three months after violent protests erupted near Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid over a court-ordered survey of the 16th-century mosque, around 1,000 houses remain locked as residents have fled, ostensibly fearing arrest or retribution, officials say.
Clashes broke out on November 24 when a large crowd gathered and confronted the police, leaving four people dead and several others, including policemen, injured.
Despite repeated assurances from senior police officers that action will be taken only against those involved in the violence, many families have left the area.
Fearing action, some locals have even placed letters outside their locked homes explaining why they are away. One resident has displayed a radiology report of a family member, with a note stating they have gone to Delhi for cancer treatment. Another mentions that a bank loan has been taken against the house.
“Around 1,000 houses remain locked as residents have not returned. We are consistently assuring that no action will be taken against the innocent,” Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said, adding that he is aware of the letters pasted by some locals outside their homes.
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.