Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav, while speaking to ANI in Mainpur, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of planning the communal incident in Bahraich.Yadav suggested that the violence was a calculated move by the BJP ahead of the upcoming state elections.
Source: Hindustantimes
Appealing to the both communities to maintain law and order Akhilesh Yadav said, “What happened is unfortunate. The administration, government and media know why it happened. Government should do justice. When the procession began, administration should have taken note of its route, adequate security on the route, adequate Police deployment. If I tell you what was being played on those loudspeakers, then government will say something else. But the Administration should have at least taken note of what was being played (on loudspeakers), are they insulting anyone?”
Tensions Spark Over Durga Idol Immersion Procession
During a Durga idol immersion procession that led to the death of a 22-year-old man Ram Gopal Mishra from Rehua Mansoor village.
The violence began with a dispute over loud music being played near a place of worship in Maharajganj, located under Mahsi tehsil. The incident spiralled into communal violence with mobs engaging in widespread vandalism and arson, targeting homes, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles in the area and internet suspension for four days.
Source: The Hindu
Police Statement on the Incidence
According to the police, the procession was passing by a Muslim area when the two groups argued on some issues.
Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP), Vrinda Shukla said, “In Mahasi’s Maharajganj area, a procession was passing by a Masjid through a Muslim area. The groups argued on some issues. A person from the Hindu community died after bullets were fired on him and thereafter a tense situation arose.”
In response, protests broke out, forcing police to resort to tear gas and lathi charges to disperse the crowds.
FIRs Registered Against Suspects and Rioters
Legal Action and Arrests Following the incident, local authorities registered multiple FIRs against both unidentified rioters and some named individuals. Approximately 1,000 people have been implicated in the cases, with six individuals specifically named. So far, police have detained 55 suspects as security measures have been ramped up in Bahraich, which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims.
A History of Communal Clashes in Bahraich
Recurring Violence in the Region The recent incident marks the third major communal flare-up in Bahraich, following similar outbreaks in 2009 and 2014. In October 2009, violence erupted in the same area after rumors spread about objectionable materials being thrown at a religious site, leading to widespread arson and destruction. A similar event occurred in January 2014, again centered on disputes over loud DJ music during religious processions.
