The police have reportedly found evidence indicating Ali's connection with the Sambhal violence. The police said that Ali was the first person to be informed about the court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
The Hindu side opposed the whitewashing of the mosque out of the apprehension that it was an attempt to destroy evidence of the existence of a Hindu temple.
As reported earlier, Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary urged Hindus and Muslims to maintain peace during the festival. He advised people from the Muslim community to avoid stepping out for one day on the occasion of Holi if they want to avoid the colours and festivities. He also urged Hindus not to throw colours at people against their wishes.
A meeting of the peace committee was held at the Sambhal Kotwali police station on Thursday as part of the efforts to maintain peace during the festival of Holi.
Sambhal Police have also launched a project named 'Safe Sambhal' to make the region safe. Under this project, the police are planning to install hundreds of CCTV cameras across the city.
Hours after posters of one of the accused persons were allegedly removed by unknown persons, the police on Friday put up the posters of 74 suspects in the Sambhal violence