A day after the brutal killing of a man during the religious procession going to immerse Goddess Durga's idol, the family of the victim, along with thousands of protestors reached the Tehsil with the dead body and started a demonstration. Meanwhile, the angry protestors torched several properties including a private hospital and a two-wheelers showroom.
CM Yogi sends top officials
On the instructions of CM Yogi, ACS Home and ADG Law and Order reached the spot. Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla said, "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."
Police shells tear gas
The local administration resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the protestors. The incident was reignited today when the dead body of the victim reached his village after post-mortem in the morning. The communal tension made the situation sensitive in the Mahsi Tehsil of the Behraich district since yesterday.
Family agrees to cremate body after MLA's intervention
However, on the assurance of MLA Sureshwar Singh, the family members of the deceased, who were protesting at the Mahsi Tehsil gate, agreed to perform the last rites. On the instructions of CM Yogi, ACS Home and ADG Law and Order reached the spot. 30 miscreants have been detained in this case.
Keshav Prasad Maurya reacts
Reacting to the incident, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "Any conspiracy to disturb the peace and harmony of Uttar Pradesh will not succeed. Those who provide protection to 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. The culprits will be brought under the ambit of the law and will be given strict punishment and the victims will get complete justice. I appeal to all the citizens to maintain peace and patience."
FIR lodged
Meanwhile, the administration has registered an FIR on 10 people in the case. The case has been registered against Abdul Hameed, Rinku aka Sarfaraz, Faheem, Raza aka Sahir Khan, Nankau, Maaruf Ali and 4 other unidentified persons.
What ignited communal tensions?
Notably, the tensions escalated after Ram Gopal Mishra, a native of Rehua Mansoor village, who was walking with the group, was shot in Mansoor village's Mahrajganj Bazar. He was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment, one of his family members said. He was shot over the playing of music during a procession.
Apart from Mishra, around a dozen people were injured in the violence. Soon after the incident, multiple Hindu organisations came to the streets demanding action. Taking swift action, the Superintendent of Police suspended Hardi Police Station head SK Verma was suspended. Mahsi Outpost in-charge Shiv Kumar was also suspended.
Reacting to the incident, CM Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence, stating that those responsible will face strict action. The Chief Minister emphasised that the perpetrators will not be spared.
CM Yogi further directed the officers to identify the miscreants and take strict action. He, however, directed the administration, "Idol immersion must continue. Communicate with religious organisations and get the idol immersion done on time."
