A day after four people were killed and at least 20 police personnel injured following clashes over a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in western UP’s Sambhal, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP and Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, and the son of an MLA have been booked in connection with the case.

Moradabad Police Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed on Monday that those accused in the Sambhal incident include a Samajwadi Party (SP) MP and the son of a local MLA, adding further he assured that the situation in the site of violence is now peaceful, and an investigation is underway, ANI reported.

Meanwhile, in a joint press conference, Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi informed that a complaint has been filed against as many as 800 people after the violence.

Authorities also closed schools and suspended internet services in Sambhal.

Also Read: UP: 3 killed as violence erupts between protesters, police over court-ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid

The clashes on Sunday broke out after a court-appointed advocate commissioner and six members of his team entered the Shahi Jama Masjid for a second survey around 7 am. The first survey, ordered by the court, was conducted on November 19. Nearly 1,000 Muslim protesters gathered outside the mosque to prevent a team from conducting a court-ordered survey after a petition from a Hindu lawyer that claimed the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple.

Officials said the stone pelting subsided for some time but resumed on a bigger scale when the survey team was leaving the site after finishing their work around 11 am.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has urged the Supreme Court to immediately “take cognizance of the conspiracy of spreading tension in the name of survey”. He also alleged that the BJP government and its administration “orchestrated the violence to divert attention from electoral malpractice”.

Gandhis slam Yogi government

As violence simmered in Sambhal, enior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Yogi Adityanath government of partiality and said its “hasty” approach was unfortunate.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, too, criticised the state government and appealed to Supreme Court to take up of the sensitive issue.

(With inputs from agencies)