Sambhal Unrest: Political Tensions Surge Following Discovery of Foreign Cartridges
Click to start listening
Lucknow, Dec 4 (NationPress) The finding of Pakistan-made cartridges in the wake of the violence that occurred on November 24 in Sambhal has intensified political frictions in Uttar Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP for Sambhal, Ziaur Rahman Barq, criticized the local law enforcement agencies, calling for the termination of officers involved in the investigation, while Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak promised a comprehensive and fair inquiry.
The unrest began in the Sambhal Kotwali region during a survey, resulting in five fatalities. The police recovered six bullets from the site, two of which are suspected to have been produced in a Pakistani facility. This revelation has triggered an investigation into potential terrorist connections.
In response to the findings, Ziaur Rahman Barq alleged that the police failed to avert the situation in Sambhal.
"After a week, the cartridges were found. The police administration has not demonstrated that individuals possessed firearms, and now they assert that the cartridges were discovered there," he stated.
"It is regrettable that such police officials are managing this case. These officials are detrimental to the nation, and they should be dismissed immediately," Barq told IANS.
Earlier in the day, UP's Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called on all political factions to unite in support of the administration to uphold peace.
"The incident in Sambhal is undergoing an impartial investigation, with Section 144 enforced to maintain law and order. A judicial commission has already visited the location, and strict measures will be enacted against anyone found culpable," Pathak stated.
Emphasizing the discovery of foreign-made ammunition, Pathak remarked, "The presence of Pakistani cartridges brings serious concerns. Our government is dedicated to a thorough investigation, and strict actions will be taken against the offenders."
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), along with forensic and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) teams, is conducting searches in the areas affected by violence.
On Tuesday, Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi visited the site with a forensic team, which employed a metal detector to reveal additional cartridges.
The police recovered a 'POF 9MM 68-26' cartridge, believed to originate from Pakistan, along with a 'Winchester Made-in-USA 12-bore' cartridge. The findings have added gravity to the case, prompting the police to investigate potential terrorist affiliations.
"The discovery of Pakistan-made ammunition indicates the severity of this case. The police are rigorously investigating and working to identify those involved in the violence," the Sambhal SP remarked.
Meanwhile, to restore normalcy, the municipal team has resumed cleaning operations in the area. Pathak reiterated the government's determination to ensure justice for the victims while holding the wrongdoers accountable.
As the investigation progresses, the involvement of foreign-made ammunition has raised questions regarding the extent of external influences in the violence, leading to increased scrutiny by state and central agencies.
