Sambhal | ‘Goli Chalao Be’: UP Cop heard amid unruly scenes as heavy stone pelting erupts

NEW DELHI: Violence broke out in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, leading to three fatalities and injuries to several police personnel. Amid the chaos, a video surfaced allegedly capturing a UP police officer shouting, “Goli chalao be”, as tensions between protesters and law enforcement escalated dramatically.

The clash erupted when a large crowd gathered to oppose the survey, initiated following a complaint by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed the mosque was built after demolishing a temple. As the survey team arrived, the mob began pelting heavy bricks and stones at police and their vehicles.

Police retaliated with tear gas and plastic bullets to control the crowd. However, the violence escalated further when a section of protesters allegedly set vehicles ablaze and opened fire.

 The situation resulted in the deaths of three Muslim youths—Bilal Ansari, Nayeem Ahmed & Nadeem Ghazi—though the exact cause of their deaths will be determined post-autopsy.

“After the survey was completed, stone pelting started from three directions, and another group began setting vehicles on fire. The police used tear gas and plastic bullets,” said Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh. He confirmed that 15 police personnel, including senior officials, were injured, and prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area.

The survey was successfully concluded under heavy security and is part of a larger legal dispute over the mosque’s origins. Vishnu Jain, who has been involved in similar disputes, claimed the Shahi Jama Masjid was once a temple partially demolished by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529.

Police detained 18 people and conducted drone surveillance to identify those involved in the violence. Meanwhile, social media is abuzz with the cop’s controversial remark, fueling further criticism of law enforcement’s handling of the situation.