The autopsy reports of four individuals killed in Sunday’s clashes in Sambhal have revealed discrepancies regarding the source of the bullet wounds. Moradabad divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh stated on Tuesday that the bullets that caused the fatal injuries did not match the type of ammunition used by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Singh confirmed that no bullets were retrieved from the bodies during the autopsies. The absence of bullets has fueled debates, especially amid allegations that the deaths resulted from police firing.
The victims, identified as Ayan, Bilal, Naeem, and Kaif, reportedly suffered gunshot wounds. According to a police official, Ayan’s abdomen injury damaged his liver, while the other three sustained chest wounds. Additionally, autopsy reports revealed antemortem injuries, including bruises on the knees, elbows, and foreheads of the deceased, indicating trauma before their deaths.
To ascertain the type of bullets used, the autopsy findings and photographs of the injuries are being sent for forensic analysis. A senior police officer reiterated that no 9mm bullets, typically used by UP Police, were involved. He emphasized that officers deployed during the clash only used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
As tensions remain high, local authorities have extended the internet ban in the region for another 24 hours, while security forces maintain a strong presence to prevent further unrest.
In a separate incident, sub-inspector Mohd Shah Faisal filed an FIR detailing violence by the mob during the clashes. According to the FIR, rioters looted a magazine containing 10 cartridges from Faisal while attempting to seize his service pistol. The mob also burned his motorcycle and a police patrol bike.
“The violent mob tried to snatch my service pistol while I was trying to pacify them. I somehow managed to keep the pistol, but the magazine and its ten cartridges were stolen by the mob. It seems that the mob had come well prepared,” Faisal wrote in his statement.
The FIR also mentioned that the rioters were armed with hockey sticks and canes. They damaged CCTV cameras, pelted stones, and injured Faisal along with two constables, Gopal Singh and Nishant Malik.
The violence in Sambhal began on Sunday morning when protesters opposed a court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey aimed to verify claims that the mosque was built over a Hindu temple during Mughal emperor Babur’s rule in 1529. The clashes left four dead and over 20 police personnel injured.
Authorities are investigating the events, focusing on both the origin of the fatal bullets and the violent actions of the mob. The situation remains tense, with strict security measures in place to restore order.
