Traffic along the Delhi-Meerut Expressway near the Ghazipur border came to a standstill on Wednesday morning due to heightened security measures surrounding the planned visit of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, which has been embroiled in violence.
The Congress delegation, led by Rahul Gandhi, was set to visit Sambhal, where communal clashes erupted on November 24 following a court-ordered survey of a mosque. However, security concerns and ongoing prohibitory orders in the region led to a slow-moving traffic situation on the expressway.
When questioned about the possible stoppage of the Gandhi siblings by the police, Indirapuram ACP Swatantra Kumar Singh stated, “We do not have any such command as of now. The orders that I have been given are to maintain good security here. We will follow the commands given to us.” This statement highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the political leaders’ visit.
In Sambhal, where tensions are still high, prohibitory orders are in place, banning the entry of outsiders, including political leaders. Last week, several Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs were also stopped from entering the district for similar reasons.
The restrictions in place, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which were initially set to expire on Sunday, have now been extended until December 31, further complicating the situation for any visiting political delegations.
As the Gandhi siblings made their way toward Sambhal, the scene at the Ghazipur border became a hotspot for delays, with the security personnel strictly implementing the orders aimed at maintaining law and order in the region. The traffic jam that ensued highlighted the tense political atmosphere surrounding the visit, with the Congress leaders’ attempt to access the violence-hit area now in limbo.
The developments in Sambhal have drawn significant attention, as the region continues to deal with the aftermath of the violence and the ongoing security situation, making the entry of political leaders a sensitive issue.
