Sambhal,

29 November (HS): Still recuperating from the communal firestorm that rapidly

reached the doorstep of the country's top court, Sambhal and its people hope

for a cooling of temperatures and a return to normalcy. As the dust settles

after unrest in the city following a court-ordered inspection of the Mugha-era

Shahi Jama Masjid, people pray for peace and stability, despite a future that

promises more court hearings and occasional flare-ups.

Sambhal

is becoming weary of such situations. These incidents are a stain on our

community, and everyone wants to return to the road of peace. Shane Rab, who

lives near the Jama Masjid, believes that peace would return soon.

Zafar

Ali, the leader of Jama Masjid, and I had also made a video appeal for peace

and order. Today, everyone came to give namaz calmly, and the prayers were

concluded without incident. It is our goal to ensure that peace continues into

the future.

There

has been increased security in Sambhal, particularly near the Shahi Jama

Masjid, where Friday prayers were performed under strict observation.

Additional CCTV cameras were put around the mosque, and drones were used to

monitor the situation.

To

prevent unrest, police were stationed around the mosque and major roadways. The

city's business community lamented the massive losses incurred as a result of

the disturbance.

Mushahid

Hussain, Spare Parts Shopkeeper, said that the tranquility during namaz was due

to Allah's blessing.

“Business

has been entirely halted for the past three days. People arrive in the morning

and depart empty handed. But now, following today's quiet prayers, I trust

peace will be restored and business will resume,” he added. Similarly, Rajat

Gupta, a local food store owner, emphasized the impact on trade, particularly

with the wedding season started. We have suffered greatly as a result of this

occurrence. Customers from countryside have ceased coming, and city dwellers

are likewise less likely to leave. But I'm hoping that peace will soon return

and Sambhal will be restored to its previous state. The local bullion market,

located half a kilometer from the Shahi Jama Masjid, has been the most severely

affected sector.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi