Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Stopped At Ghazipur Border: Five Pointers

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: On their way to the violence-hit Sambhal, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with a delegation of Congress, including Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, was stopped at the Ghazipur Border. The police had put heavy barricades at the border to prevent the Congress leaders from visiting Sambhal, which witnessed violence and the death of four people amid police firing on November 24 following a court-ordered survey of a Masjid.

Read Also: As Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi On Their Way To Sambhal, Authorities Put Barricades

Five Pointers: What Is Going On? 

1. 1. As Rahul Gandhi reached the border, police have stopped the opposition leader as Congress workers are seen gathered around him defying the barricades. A massive traffic jam has also occurred on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway at the border.

1. 1. Sambhal superintendent of police Krishan Kumar had earlier ordered that no outsiders are allowed to enter the area, noting the restriction under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The police have said they handed over the prohibitory notice to the Congress leader, noting that they would not be allowed to proceed with the journey.
   2. According to the latest report, the Congress has sought approval for a five-member team to visit the violence-hit Uttar Pradesh district, and it is reported that Rahul Gandhi has vowed he would go to Sambhal alone. The Congress leaders interactrf with the police officials at the Ghazipur Border. However, the Congress leaders have returned from the border, citing the denial of permission, despite requesting readiness to go alone with the police.
   3. Earlier, political leaders, including MLAs and MPs from parties such as SP and IUML, were stopped on their way to Sambhal, citing a prohibitory order. Though the order was supposed to end by today, December 4, the authorities have extended the restriction further to prevent outsiders from entering the violence-hit region.

1. On November 24, as a survey team arrived at the mosque in Sambhal following a court order, protests erupted in the region, which led to a violent clash, killing four people in the police firing. There were reportedly members of the Hindutva group along with the survey officials chanting Jai Shri Ram. The opposition has blamed the UP government for its failure to handle the situation and for inciting religious sentiments, leading to the death of four Muslims and injury of many.

The opposition leaders have alleged that the BJP government is hiding their failure by denying entry to the outsiders to the violence hit-Sambhal.