Violence in Bahraich: hundreds demonstrate, internet suspended – what we know so far

Tension escalated in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich on Monday, a day after a 22-year-old man was killed and several others injured in clashes between two groups over music played during a procession of Durga idol immersion. Violence broke out on Sunday when stones were thrown and shots fired at the procession in Mahsi, a subdivision of Bahraich district.

The district administration took immediate steps to contain the unrest, including suspending internet services in Mahsi to prevent further outbreaks. Bahraich Police Commissioner Vrinda Shukla said 25-30 people had been arrested and efforts were underway to restore peace in the affected areas.

Stone pelting, shootings and arrests

Police say a man identified as Salman was arrested after evidence emerged that shots were fired from his home. India Today reported that a complaint had been registered against ten people in connection with the violence. Six of them have been identified as Abdul Hamid, Sarfaraz, Faheem, Sahir Khan, Nankau and Marf Ali, while the identities of four others are being confirmed.

SP Shukla said, “A case has been registered against Salman as shots were fired from his house, which also doubles as a shop. »

The deceased, identified as Ram Gopal Mishra of Rehua Mansoor village, was participating in the procession when he was hit by a bullet. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

On Monday, the situation worsened as tensions increased in and around Mahsi. Crowds armed with sticks and iron bars took to the streets, burning shops and vehicles. Demonstrations broke out in several places, with demonstrators raising slogans against the police and administrative authorities. Thick black smoke billowed from burning stores and houses. Police had to organize flag marches to restore order, but sporadic violence persisted.

The culprits will not be spared: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence and assured that strict action would be taken against the culprits. He stressed that those responsible for disturbing public order would not be spared. “Those who disrupted law and order at the Mahsi of Bahraich will not be spared. Safety is guaranteed for all, but instructions have been given to identify the rioters and those whose negligence led to the incident and take action strict measures against them,” the chief said. » declared the minister. He further asked the local authorities to collaborate with religious leaders to ensure smooth continuation of idol immersion rituals across the district.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, in a statement on social media platform X, expressed concern over possible conspiracies to disrupt peace in the state. “Any plot to disrupt peace and harmony in Uttar Pradesh will fail. Those protecting the rioters are becoming active again, but we must be careful and vigilant,” he warned. Maurya assured strict punishment for the perpetrators and promised that full justice would be provided to the victims. “I call on all citizens to maintain peace and patience,” he added.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed concerns over X, calling the violence and the administration’s response “extremely sad and unfortunate”. In her post, she called on the chief minister and state authorities to act quickly, engage the public to restore trust and end the violence. “Strictest action must be taken against the culprits. My humble appeal to the public, please do not take the law into your own hands,” she urged.

Bahraich District Magistrate Monika Rani confirmed that tensions erupted during the idol immersion, further deteriorating after the shooting. “The situation deteriorated after one person was shot dead,” she said, adding that the district administration had decided to stop idol immersions in several areas to avoid further escalation.

In Fakharpur town and other areas of Bahraich, similar processions were called off as a precautionary measure amid heightened communal tensions following the deadly incident.

BJP MP from Mahsi, Sureshwar Singh, expressed his condolences and demanded action against those responsible for the unrest. “We are conducting the funeral of the deceased. He got married barely four months ago. The family members of the deceased are demanding that action be taken against those responsible and action taken against them. The SHO and the head of the police outpost should be suspended,” Singh told PTI.

The incident has left the region on high alert with the administration scrambling to restore normalcy. Additional police forces have been deployed to the area and patrols have been stepped up to prevent any further outbreak of violence.

(With contribution from agencies)