A day after a 22-year-old youth was killed in an alleged communal clash, the Bahraich police on Monday arrested 30 persons in connection with the violence and murder.
Clashes in the Uttar Pradesh district began Sunday evening after some locals allegedly asked for the music to be turned off as a Durga idol procession passed through a Muslim neighborhood. A heated argument escalated into clashes and stone-pelting between two groups, police said.
The situation worsened when gunshots were allegedly fired, and a local resident, Ram Gopal Mishra, sustained a bullet wound, police said. He was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
On Monday, after Mishra’s body was handed over to his family following the postmortem, a large group paraded the body to Mahsi tehsil, where they staged a protest demanding death sentence for those involved in the murder. Protesters said they will not conduct final rites otherwise.
Following requests by senior political leaders and district and government officials, the family agreed to conduct the last rites.
According to police, the clashes saw homes, shops, and vehicles being pelted with stones, and a two-wheeler showroom in Hardi area being set on fire.
Senior administrative and police officials meanwhile rushed to the spot and tried to calm the protesters.
Police also set up barricades to prevent outsiders from entering the area where the protest was taking place.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed Additional Director General, Law and Order, Amitabh Yash and Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta to be present at the spot.
Meanwhile, local residents in Bahraich, who had halted the immersion of Durga idols following the incident, have resumed the ritual after being assured by the police and administration that strict action will be taken against the accused.
Police are using drones to keep a watch in the area and conducting raids to trace miscreants. The police are identifying the assailants using videos and photographs of the incident.
Superintendent of Police, Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla said tensions arose after two groups confronted each other in the Maharajganj area under Mahsi tehsil. She confirmed that the idol immersions have resumed.
Bahraich violence: What has happened so far
Police said a man was booked and around 30 people were detained in connection with the unrest. “The situation is now under control and the Visarjan at various places has resumed…30 people have been taken into custody and the case has been registered. The search for the main accused who is absconding is underway…,” the Bahraich SP said.
Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash visited the spot to take stock of the situation.
“The situation is being brought under control and anti-social elements are being chased away,” Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bahraich Vrinda Shukla told PTI Videos.
