Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to visit violence-hit Sambhal today

The Gandhi siblings have already left for Sambhal this morning.

A huge security is in place in the route taken by Rahul and Priyanka, who was likely to be stopped by police from reaching Sambhal.

The administration has said it would not allow anyone to visit Sambhal citing the sensitive law and order situation.

This comes a couple of days after a Congress delegation led by Ajay Rai was stopped from entering into Sambhal, which has turned out to be a new flashpoint between the Opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tension prevailed in the town since last month after a local court ordered a survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid.

The order was passed after a plea claiming a Harihar temple existed at the site until Babar demolished it.

The first round of the survey was conducted in the previous week. The violence broke out during the second round on Sunday. 

When the survey team reached the site, a mob started shouting slogans and soon the scenario escalated to clash and violence forcing the cops to use force to take control of the situation.

Thirty-six cops were injured after a mob pelted stones at the survey team and police personnel in the western Uttar Pradesh town.

Several vehicles were torched.

The Supreme Court last Friday paused the trial court's order permitting a survey of the mosque, stressing on the importance of maintenance of "peace and harmony".

Besides, it has asked the management committee of the Shahi Idgah Masjid to approach the high court against the trial court order.