Congress leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were stopped at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway en route to Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. The delegation was halted due to prohibitory orders in the district following violent clashes last month.
The violence occurred during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, leading to five deaths and massive unrest involving gunfire, stone-pelting, and arson. In response, the district administration imposed curbs under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting entry into Sambhal until December 31, 2024.
Ghaziabad Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra confirmed that the Congress delegation would not be allowed to proceed. “Ample police force has been deployed at the UP gate to prevent their entry,” Mishra said.
The Congress team, which included five other party MPs from Uttar Pradesh, aimed to visit the affected areas and meet the victims of the violence.
Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia had earlier requested neighboring district authorities to ensure Gandhi and his team were stopped before entering the sensitive area. The DM’s letter highlighted ongoing tensions and the need to maintain law and order.
The Congress leaders criticized the government’s decision, stating that their visit was aimed at ensuring justice for those affected. The extended prohibitory orders have raised questions about access to the violence-hit region and the state’s handling of the situation.
