Chaos erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich as restless crowds filled the streets, some armed with sticks and iron rods and shops were set ablaze. This violence led to the tragic death of a 22-year-old man during a Durga idol immersion procession on Sunday.
What was meant to be a celebration turned into turmoil in Mansoor village’s Mahrajganj area.
In response, police initially detained around 30 people and booked one man and as per latest reports, three arrests have been done in the case so far. A case has been registered against six identified and 24 unidentified persons for murder and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has denounced the violence and directed the administration to communicate with religious organisations and get the idol immersions done on time.
Extra forces have been deployed in the area to curb further protests and violence, reportedly internet has also been suspended temporarily.
Officials said Home Secretary Sanjeev Gupta and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash reached the spot to take stock of the situation.
What Happened In Bahraich?
Sunday's violence was triggered by a disagreement over music being blasted out from loudspeakers while the procession was passing through the area.
Ram Gopal Mishra of Rehua Mansoor village was walking in the procession when he suffered a bullet wound. He was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment, one of his family members said.
Munni Devi, mother of Mishra, told PTI Videos, "My son has died...We want justice."
The area was fraught with communal tension after the killing. Similar processions were cancelled in Fakharpur town and some other places.
Around half a dozen people were injured in stone pelting and firing.
There were protests at several places and slogans raised against police and administrative officials, even as police forces conducted flag marches in the area. Black smoke billowed into the sky from some shops, houses and vehicles set ablaze.
What Has Administration Said?
CM Yogi directed police to deploy personnel at the immersion sites.
Reacting to the violence, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya posted on X, "Any conspiracy to disturb the peace and harmony of Uttar Pradesh will not be unsuccessful. Those who protect the rioters are once again becoming active, but we have to be cautious and vigilant."
"The bright future of the state will not be allowed to be tampered with," he said in Hindi.
Maurya asserted that the culprits would be given strict punishment and victims would get complete justice. "I appeal to all citizens to maintain peace and patience," he posted.
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bahraich Vrinda Shukla told PTI, "The situation is being brought under control and anti-social elements are being chased away." She also informed that 25 to 30 people had been detained and efforts were on to bring normalcy in the affected areas.
She added that an adequate police force has been deployed.
"All anarchist elements will be identified," Shukla said, adding that stringent action would be taken against them.
The SP said a case has been registered against a person identified as Salman. Gunshots were fired from his house, which also functions as a shop, according to police.
Identities of those involved in the incident are being ascertained and some suspects have been detained, she said.
District Magistrate of Bahraich Monika Rani said there was a dispute during the idol immersion. The situation deteriorated after a person was shot, she said and added that in view of the incident, idol immersion was stopped at many places.
BJP MLA from Mahsi Sureshwar Singh told PTI, "We are moving ahead with the last rites of the deceased person. Barely four months ago, he got married. The family members of the deceased demand that cases should be registered against those responsible, and action should be initiated against them. The SHO and the in-charge of the police outpost should be suspended."
Reactions
Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a post on X in Hindi: "The news of violence in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, and the inaction of the administration are extremely sad and unfortunate."
"I appeal to the chief minister of the state and the state administration to take immediate action, take the public into confidence and stop the 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 added.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav appealed for peace and termed the Bahraich violence as "sad".
He said, "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."
The Samajwadi Party through its media cell, in a post on X in Hindi, said: "Entering someone's house, hoisting one's own flag and uprooting another's flag, making religiously offensive remarks, provocative slogans, changing the route of the procession are not common incidents. There should be an impartial investigation."
