Bahraich Communal Violence Alerts
In Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, communal violence erupted during the immersion of Durga idols, leading to the tragic death of a young man. This incident triggered widespread unrest in various parts of the district, causing Puja committees to halt the immersion process in protest. Several arrests were made overnight as tensions escalated.
The violence began when a youth was fatally shot during a clash in the Maharajganj town area of Bahraich. The young man, identified as 24-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra, lost his life after being caught in a dispute over a song being played on a DJ during the idol immersion procession. According to reports, a group from another community objected to the music and began throwing stones from a rooftop.
This led to a violent confrontation in which the Durga idol was damaged, sparking further anger among the crowd. Amid the chaos, Mishra was reportedly dragged into a house and shot, leading to his death. Another man, Rajan, who tried to intervene, was also seriously injured, and around a dozen others sustained injuries as the violence spread.
Bahraich Communal Violence Alerts
As word of the incident spread, protests erupted throughout Bahraich. People took to the streets, demanding justice and the arrest of those responsible. Late into the night, slogans demanding the hanging of the accused echoed in the streets, with protesters refusing to resume the immersion until action was taken. The situation intensified when a vehicle was set on fire near Steelganj Talab Market, and banners at Hospital Square were torn down and torched. The fire brigade, which arrived to extinguish the flames, was attacked with stones, forcing its crew to flee. The police eventually dispersed the crowd with baton charges.
District Magistrate (DM) Monika Rani arrived on the scene late at night, but her presence only fueled more protests, with people shouting slogans against the police and administration. Anger towards the authorities grew as the crowd blocked the Nanpara-Lakhimpur highway around 11:30 pm, demanding action against negligent officers and raising slogans in support of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In response to the unrest, Superintendent of Police (SP) Vrinda Shukla suspended two senior officers: Hardi police station in-charge Suresh Kumar Verma and Mahsi outpost in-charge Shiv Kumar, both accused of mishandling the situation. Despite these actions, the public remained dissatisfied, demanding accountability from Circle Officer (CO) Rupendra Gaur, whom they also accused of negligence during the violence. Protesters alleged that Gaur and other officers used excessive force, and they called for stricter punishment for all those responsible.
SP Vrinda Shukla assured the public that a thorough investigation was underway and that no one who was negligent would be spared. “The SHO and Mahsi outpost in-charge have been suspended for failing in their duties,” Shukla said. “We are conducting a detailed inquiry into the entire incident, and anyone found responsible will face consequences.”
The violence initially broke out on Sunday evening during the Durga idol immersion procession in Maharajganj, when a dispute arose over the DJ music. Tensions quickly escalated, leading to the fatal shooting of Mishra. The district administration has deployed police and paramilitary personnel from six police stations to maintain order and prevent further violence. Top officials, including SP Vrinda Shukla, are currently stationed in Maharajganj to oversee the situation.
Despite the swift arrests and the suspension of key officers, there is still significant public anger in Bahraich. Many residents continue to demand stronger action against all those involved in the violence, particularly the officers they believe failed to protect the community. The situation remains tense as the investigation continues, and authorities work to restore peace in the district.
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