CLASH ERUPTS OVER MOSQUE SURVEY IN UP, THREE KILLED

Court has ordered the survey of Jama Masjid in Sambhal

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Three people were killed as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque here clashed with security personnel on Sunday.

The protesters tried to torch vehicles and pelted stones at the police who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. "Shots were fired by the miscreants and some pellets struck our policemen. We are investigating where the shots were fired from, particularly in the Deepa Sarai area," an officer said.

Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since Tuesday when the Jama Masjid was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site.

Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said, "Three people, identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman, have been killed. Some policemen, including the gunner of the superintendent of police, have also been injured."

Ten people, including two women, have been detained and a probe has been launched, an official said, adding some people even set afire some motorcycles parked on the roadside.