Bahraich Violence: Tensions flared in Bahraich’s Maharajganj area as scores of people, some armed with sticks, joined the funeral procession of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra on Monday. Mishra, who was killed during communal violence that broke out near Rehua Mansoor village in Mahsi tehsil on Sunday, was laid to rest amid a heavy police presence. The situation escalated with shops being burnt and large crowds taking to the streets, raising cries for justice.

According to news agency PTI, Mishra’s death occurred after he was struck by a bullet while participating in a Durga idol immersion procession. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, according to his family. “My son has died… We want justice,” said Munni Devi, Mishra’s mother, to PTI Videos. Mishra’s sister, Rajrani, also demanded, “Bulldozer should be used to demolish the house of the accused.”

The last rites of Mishra were performed with the attendance of family members and the local BJP MLA, Sureshwar Singh, who shared that Mishra had been married just four months ago. “His family wants strict action against those responsible for his death,” Singh told PTI. Singh further noted that the SHO of Hardi police station, Suresh Kumar Verma, and a police outpost in-charge had been suspended following the incident.

Protests erupted across the area, with angry residents blocking the road in front of Mahsi tehsil, refusing to cremate Mishra’s body until their demands were met. They sought a police encounter for those accused, demolition of their properties, and adequate compensation for Mishra’s family. Eventually, the body was cremated, police confirmed.

Bahraich Violence: Internet Suspended, Murder Charges Pressed Against 30 Persons

The violence left about half a dozen people injured due to stone pelting and firing that ensued after Mishra’s death. In response, the police suspended internet services in Bahraich district as a precautionary measure. “Anti-social elements are being chased away,” said Bahraich Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla to PTI Videos.

The police have registered a case against six identified individuals and 24 unidentified persons under charges of murder and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, three arrests have been made so far, and about 30 people have been detained in connection with the unrest. Raids are underway to apprehend Salman, one of the named accused.

The situation prompted the Uttar Pradesh government to deploy top officials, including Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash, to Bahraich. Upon reaching the site, Yash was seen with a pistol in hand, attempting to control the agitated crowd. “The situation is tense, but we have brought it under control for now by increasing the police force,” stated DIG, Devipatan Range, Amarendra Prasad Singh, as per PTI. 

Bahraich Violence: CM Yogi Adityanath Likely To Meet Kin In Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav Targets Uttar Pradesh Govt

MLA Sureshwar Singh said that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will likely meet the kin of the deceased on Tuesday in Lucknow. Adityanath has also vowed strict action against those involved in the stone-pelting and shooting, the MLA told PTI. Sureshwar Singh mentioned that he would accompany the victim’s family to the meeting in the state capital. On Sunday, Adityanath condemned the violence and ordered the administration to communicate with religious organisations and ensure the idol immersions were held on time.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, in a post on X, warned against any attempts to disturb the peace in Uttar Pradesh. “Any conspiracy to disturb UP’s peace and harmony will not be unsuccessful. Those who protect the rioters are once again becoming active, but we have to be cautious and vigilant,” he posted.

उत्तर प्रदेश की शांति और सौहार्द बिगाड़ने की कोई भी साजिश सफल नहीं होगी। दंगाइयों को संरक्षण देने वाले एक बार फिर सक्रिय हो रहे हैं, लेकिन हमें सतर्क और सजग रहना होगा। प्रदेश के उज्जवल भविष्य के साथ खिलवाड़ नहीं होने दिया जाएगा। दोषियों को क़ानून के दायरे में लाकर सख्त सजा दी…

— Keshav Prasad Maurya (@kpmaurya1) October 14, 2024

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called for peace, criticising the administration’s response. “The government knows the reason for the violence. Taking action against junior officials won’t help the situation. The administration should have been alert while the (Durga idol) procession was being taken out… The government is responsible for this,” Yadav remarked.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: On the Bahraich ‘murti visarjan’ violence, Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav says, “The incident that occurred in Bahraich is tragic; it is a failure of the government and administration. Simply removing a police station in-charge does not resolve everything” pic.twitter.com/5zxkf2vyFM

— IANS (@ians_india) October 14, 2024

Posting on X, Akhilesh linked the situation to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh bypolls,  “The arrival of elections and the deterioration of the communal atmosphere are not a coincidence. The public understands everything. Everyone knows whose old strategy it is to resort to violence out of fear of defeat. This is the signal of the upcoming by-elections. If instead of a show of law and order, the government truly makes solid arrangements, then everything will be fine, but this will only happen if the government desires it.”

चुनाव का आना और साम्प्रदायिक माहौल का बिगड़ जाना, ये इत्तफ़ाक़ नहीं है। जनता सब समझ रही है। हार के डर से हिंसा का सहारा लेना किसकी पुरानी रणनीति है, सब जानते हैं। ये उप चुनाव की दस्तक है।

दिखावटी क़ानून-व्यवस्था की जगह अगर सरकार सच में पुख़्ता इंतज़ाम करे तो सब सही हो जाएगा…

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) October 14, 2024

The incident has triggered a political uproar, with Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressing her dismay over the situation.

बहराइच, उत्तर प्रदेश में हो रही हिंसा और प्रशासन के निष्क्रिय होने की खबरें अत्यंत दुखद और दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण हैं।

मैं प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री जी एवं राज्य प्रशासन से अपील करती हूं कि त्वरित एक्शन लेते हुए, जनता को विश्वास में लें और हिंसा रोकें। दोषियों पर सख्त से सख्त कार्रवाई हो।…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 14, 2024

“The news of violence in UP’s Bahraich and the inaction of the administration are extremely sad and unfortunate. I appeal to the UP CM and the state administration to take immediate action, take the people into confidence and stop violence. Strictest action should be taken against the culprits. My humble appeal to the public, please do not take the law into your own hands,” she said in a post on X.