Three people were killed and several others injured in violent clashes in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday, following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which is at the center of a contentious legal dispute. The mosque, believed by some to have been built on the site of a Hindu temple, has been the focus of tensions in the area.

Protests broke out early in the morning when the survey team, tasked with investigating the mosque’s historical claims, clashed with locals. The situation quickly escalated, with protesters setting vehicles on fire and hurling stones at the police. In response, the police used tear gas and batons to control the crowd. Around 20 police officers were injured, with one constable critically wounded.

Authorities have arrested 21 people, including two women, and launched an investigation into the violence. The accused will face charges under the National Security Act (NSA). According to District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya, two of the victims died from bullet wounds, while the cause of the third death is still under investigation.

In an effort to restore order, internet services were suspended in Sambhal for 24 hours, and all schools were closed for the day. The district administration also issued a restriction, barring outsiders and public figures from entering Sambhal without prior authorization.

The controversy surrounding the mosque has been brewing since last Tuesday when a local court ordered a survey of the site following a petition that claimed the mosque was built over a Hindu temple. While supporters of the survey argue it is essential for uncovering historical truths, critics see it as a provocation, violating the 1991 Places of Worship Act.

Despite the violence, the survey proceeded as planned, with the team completing the investigation with videography and photography. The survey report is expected to be submitted by November 29.

Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, called for the Supreme Court to take immediate action against those fueling tensions through such surveys. Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai criticized the rise in violence under the state government, while the BJP defended the judicial process, stating that anyone opposing a court order should seek legal recourse rather than resort to violence.