By – Prakarsh Kastwar
The controversy around the immersion of Durga idols in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has grown in intensity. Arson and vandalism occurred again in Bahraich on Monday morning. Many stores and homes were vandalized. Bike dealerships and a hospital were set on fire. Vehicles have been set afire. Medicines have been burned.
The indignation caused by the death of the youth has not subsided. The protest is becoming increasingly violent. Bike showrooms were set on fire. Cars have also been burned. People have come to the streets carrying sticks. However, the family has refused to cremate the body. The police have explained to the deceased’s family. However, the issue has not been rectified yet. The family is adamant on pursuing harsh action.
According to VPN, individuals in a neighborhood became furious following the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra on Monday morning. The throng took to the streets, wielding sticks and batons. A bike shop and a hospital were set on fire and vandalized. Aside from the hospital, other shops and vehicles were set on fire. UP CM Yogi has issued tough directives to deal with the riots. In addition, a status update on the current situation has been requested. Instructions have also been issued to take stern action against anyone who disseminate rumors. CM Yogi has demanded that the murderer be arrested as quickly as possible.
Previously, the post-mortem of Ram Gopal Mishra, who died in Bahraich communal violence, was completed at 7 a.m. Following this, the body was delivered to his house. Following the incident, there is some tension in the area. Private schools in the Maharajganj and Mahsi regions have closed.
25 people have been arrested, including the main accused Salman.
During the communal riots in Bahraich, a FIR was filed late at night against many persons, including the main offender Salman. Sources claim that 20 to 25 persons have been arrested. On the other side, the Puja Committee insisted until late at night that the accused be arrested. Slogans demanding the execution of the accused echoed across the streets until late at night.
What exactly is going on here?
After a disagreement over singing in Maharajganj town of Mahsi tehsil in Bahraich, youths from the opposing community began throwing stones. When the Durga idol was damaged as a result of this, members of the Puja committee began to protest, and people from the other community pulled Ramgopal Mishra (24) into the house and shot him. Rajan (28), who came to his rescue, was also gravely injured.
Protests began across the area in response to the tragedy. People from the immersion committee began a protest by blocking the Bahraich-Sitapur route at the Chahlari Ghat Bridge. The Bahraich-Lucknow highway was also obstructed.
Immersion of idols was halted in hundreds of locations throughout the city. As the situation escalated, police and PAC from six police stations were dispatched. However, the situation in Gonda and Balrampur is under control. According to eyewitnesses, the Mahsi tehsil idol was carried for immersion on Sunday evening.
Sonar Abdul Hameed, a native of Maharajganj, arrived with his sons Sabloo, Sarfaraz, and Faheem and began abusing. When others following the idol objected against it, stone pelting began from the roofs. When the committee members began to protest, Hameed and the thousands of people who were with him arrived at the scene and began to cause a commotion. Upon receiving the information, a large police force arrived to the scene.
The Puja committee members claim that the SO was not present on the location. When the protest began, the police lathicharged the people participating in the immersion, resulting in a stampede in which people from the other group pulled Ram Gopal away. Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla and other high officials are camped in Maharajganj. The whole town has been sealed.
DGP Prashant Kumar stated that ADG Zone Gorakhpur KS Pratap Kumar and DIG Range Devipatan Amarendra Pratap Singh had been dispatched to address the problem.
Abuse first, followed by stone pelting.
According to eyewitnesses, the idol from Mahsi tehsil was quietly preparing for immersion. Sonar Abdul Hameed, a resident of Maharajganj, and his sons Sabloo, Sarfaraz, and Faheem arrived at the scene and began abusing. When others following the idol objected against it, stone pelting began from the roofs. Following this, the members of the immersion halt committee began protesting. It is claimed that at this point, Hameed and a crowd of thousands of people followed him to the location and caused a commotion.