A 22-year-old man died, and several others were injured during clashes between two groups in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich over the playing of music during a Durga idol immersion procession on Sunday, October 13.
After the incident, tension gripped the area as people set several vehicles on fire, prompting police to use force to bring the situation under control.
Clashes erupted when stones were thrown and gunshots were fired at the procession as it was passing through Bahraich's Mahsi sub-division.
The district administration suspended internet services in the Mahsi following the clashes.
The police also detained at least 30 people. One man, identified as Salman, was also arrested after police found evidence of shots being fired at the procession from his home and shop. In addition, a case has also been registered against ten other people in connection with this case.
A case has been registered against ten people in connection with the clashes. Out of the ten people, six people have been identified as-- Abdul Hamid, Sarfaraz, Faheem, Sahir Khan, Nankau, and Marf Ali. Four people are yet to be identified.
A case has been registered against ten people in connection with the clashes. Out of the ten people, six people have been identified as-- Abdul Hamid, Sarfaraz, Faheem, Sahir Khan, Nankau, and Marf Ali. Four people are yet to be identified.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath took note of the incident and called a meeting with senior officials to discuss the law and order situation in the district.
In a post on X, he said that the guilty will not be spared.
"Those who disturbed the law and order situation in Bahraich's Mahsi will not be spared. Safety is guaranteed to all, but instructions have been given to identify the rioters and those whose negligence led to the incident and take strict action against them," Yogi Aditynath said.
"Immersion of idols will continue. Administration and police officials have been directed to be present on the spot and speak with religious organisations to ensure that the immersion of idols is done," he added.
According to the police, the man identified as Ram Gopal Mishra, who was part of the procession, was shot. He was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment, one of his family members said.
On Monday, October 14, the family members of Mishra refused to perform his last rites, stating that they would not proceed with the funeral until the accused were arrested.
The body of Mishra was then taken to the Mahsi sub-division office where locals also gathered, with sticks in their hands, demanding action against the accused.
A bike showroom was also vandalized in the area.
Bahraich's Superintendent of Police (SP) Vrinda Shukla was present at the spot, along with other senior officials, to bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, two police officers were also suspended by Shukla for negligence.
"We are gaining control of the whole situation. We have mobilised all our forces. We are trying to disperse all the miscreants who are trying to create trouble. The situation is under control...," Shukla said while speaking to news agency ANI.
"As many as 30 people have been detained. One of the accused, Salman, from whose home gunshots were fired, has been arrested. The Durga idol immersion has started again. We are checking the videos of the incident and trying to identify other accused," Shukla said.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader ST Hasan urged people to not take the law into their own hands.
"No community should agitate the other community. No community should pelt stones on the other community. They should not take the law into their own hands. The right way is to tell your problems to the administration. But people agitate the communities," ST Hasan said.
"The people play music on loudspeakers near Masjids during the time of 'Namaz'. At most of the places where such clashes happen, it gets converted into 'Hindu-Muslim' violence. It weakens the country and society. Action must be taken against those who take laws in their hands," the former Moradabad MP added.
Source: India Today