Friday prayers held amid uneasy calm in Sambhal

Friday prayers passed off peacefully at Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal town as local Muslim devotees welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to halt proceedings in a local court till Allahabad high court lists the appeal by mosque management against a controversial survey that stoked violence last week.

- S Raju

Friday namaz was conducted peacefully at the historic mosque amid tight security arrangements, five days after the violence on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the premises left four people dead. Internet services, which had been suspended on Sunday to prevent rumour mongering, were restored in Sambhal at 4 pm on Friday.

Advocate Zafar Ali, head of Shahi Masjid committee said, "I had issued a video appeal for peace and order. Today, everyone came to offer namaz and the prayers passed off peacefully."

"The order to keep the survey report in a sealed envelope and stay the hearing will undoubtedly help in improving the situation. It shows that the judiciary is acting to maintain fairness," said Maulana Tanzameem, a college teacher.