Opposition parties attacked the ruling BJP at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh a day after Sunday’s violence, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accusing the state government of orchestrating a “riot” and senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleging that the ruling party was creating a rift between the Hindus and Muslims.

The BJP hit back, dubbing the violence as “pre-planned” and said that it was instigated by those who have been taken aback by the party’s rise in the country, especially after its performance in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly bypolls.

Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the Jama Masjid was first surveyed on the court’s orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.

On Sunday, trouble started early when a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began its work.

The protesters clashed with the security personnel, torched vehicles and pelted stones.

In the ensuing violence, three people were killed and scores, including security personnel and administration officials, were injured.

All three, aged about 25, have been buried and one more injured person died on Monday.

The district administration imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30. Internet services are suspended in Sambhal tehsil and Monday was declared a holiday for schools. A magisterial probe has been ordered.

Asked about the autopsy reports of the deceased, Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said prima facie, it appears that gunshots from countrymade weapons were the cause of death. He did not go into details.

Singh told PTI, “At this point of time, the situation has normalised. Saying anything which is factually incorrect and tends to instigate people is illegal. The statement given by Zafar Ali (Zafar Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid management committee) is completely against facts. Zafar Ali and his associates have been called for interrogation.”

“There is evidence against MP Ziaur Rahman Barq that he has committed provocative acts. Action has been taken against him under the provisions of the BNS,” Singh said.

At a press conference on Monday, Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar said seven FIRs have been lodged over the violence.

Six people, including Barq and Iqbal, were named and 2,750 others have been mentioned as unidentified.

“Due to Barq’s statement earlier, the situation worsened. He was given a notice earlier for this,” he added.

The official said that Barq’s “Jama Masjid ki hifazat” (protection of Jama Masjid) remark mobilised the mob.

On the MP being in Bengaluru and not in Sambhal on the day the violence erupted, Kumar said Barq’s name was included in the FIR based on his previous statements. (PTI)