Heavy Police Deployment, Violence After Last Rites Of Hindu Man Killed During Durga Idol Immersion In Bahraich: What Happened So Far

After a 22-year-old Hindu man was shot dead during Goddess Durga's immersion procession in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, the situation remained tense throughout the day on Monday (14 October).

The last rites of Ram Gopal Mishra were conducted in the afternoon amid heavy security, while a large crowd, some carrying sticks, walked along with the funeral procession.

Soon after the cremation violence occurred in Nakawa village, where unidentified individuals set several shops and homes on fire and also attempted to target a religious structure.

However, the situation was stabilised once the police arrived. A local official reported that over 50 police officers were deployed to manage the law and order situation.

Over 30 rioters have been taken into custody so far. Jagran reported that the arson is estimated to have damaged property worth Rs 2 crore.

It is believed that violence escalated due to a rumour that other than Mishra, another man, named Satyavan, who was also injured during the Durga idol procession violence, has passed away.

However, the news was disproved by the authorities. Satyavan is a differently-abled man and is receiving treatment.

Senior police officers, including Uttar Pradesh's Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law and Order, Amitabh Yash and Home Secretary Dr Sanjeev Gupta, arrived at the scene to help restore order.

From the DGP headquarters, four IPS officers, along with other officials, 12 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and one company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), have been deployed to Bahraich.

Additional SPs of Special Task Force (STF) Satyasen Yadav, Lal Pratap, and DK Shahi and SP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Devesh Pandey have also arrived in Bahraich.

In addition, police personnel from the Gorakhpur zone have been stationed in Bahraich. So far, four cases have been registered against the named and unidentified miscreants.

Sources revealed that three individuals have been arrested in connection with Mishra's murder. Police are also conducting raids to apprehend Salman, one of the named suspects in the case.

A case has been filed against six identified and 24 unidentified individuals under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder and other related crimes.

The relatives of the deceased Mishra are blaming the negligence of the police for the unfortunate incident. They say that Mishra was dragged by Abdul Hamid's son into a building and then shot.

"After killing Gopal, they started open firing. His body was taken out with difficulty. We demand that the culprits should be punished and relevant ex gratia to be given to the wife of Ramgopal Mishra," the relative said.

Another relative was quoted as saying by ANI, "He (Misra) was hit by 15 bullets. I want the culprits to be hanged till death and their houses should be demolished."

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to meet Mishra's family today. BJP MLA from Mahsi, the tehsil where violence erupted, Sureshvar Singh, is also likely to be present during the meeting.

The clash erupted when the procession was passing through Mahrajganj Bazar in Mansoor village of Mahsi tehsil as the Muslim community objected to the allegedly loud music.