Violent 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 killed a 22-year-old man and left several others injured.
Following the incident, tension gripped the area as people set multiple vehicles on fire, prompting police to use force to bring the situation under control. Reports said that clashes erupted when stones were thrown and gunshots were fired at the procession as it was passing through Bahraich’s Mahrajganj Bazar area.
The Bharaich Police detained nearly 30 people. The police also arrested one man, identified as Salman, after they found evidence of shots being fired at the procession from his home and shop.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath took note of the incident and summoned a meeting with senior officials to discuss the law and order situation in the district. Taking to X, the Chief Minister said that those who spoiled the law and order situation in Bahraich’s Mahsi district will not be spared. He added that 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.
He further mentioned that immersion of idols will continue, and that 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.
Reportedly, police said that a man identified as Ram Gopal Mishra, who was part of the procession, was shot. He was hurried to a hospital where he died during treatment, one of his family members said.
On Monday, 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 Ram Gopal Mishra was then taken to the Mahsip sub-division office where locals also gathered, with sticks in their hands, demanding action against the accused.
Vrinda Shukla, Bahraich’s Superintendent of Police (SP) was present at the spot, along with other senior officials. He also suspended two police officials for negligence.
He said that nearly 30 people have been detained, and one of the accused, Salman, from whose home gunshots were fired, has been arrested. He also asserted that the Durga idol immersion has started again. He added that they are checking the videos of the incident and trying to identify other accused.
Speaking to the media, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader ST Hasan urged people to not take the law into their own hands. He mentioned that no community should agitate the other community, adding that the right way is to tell their problems to the administration.
He noted that people play music on loudspeakers near Masjids during the time of Namaz, and at most of the places where such clashes happen, it gets converted into Hindu-Muslim violence. The former Moradabad MP remarked that such incidents weaken the country and society. Action must be taken against those who take laws in their hands, he continued.