UP Bahraich violence update: Internet suspended as mob sets afire hospital and shops; situation tense
UP Bahraich violence update: The situation in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich spiraled out of control on Monday as a massive mob set a hospital ablaze and torched several showrooms and shops. The police were forced to retreat in the face of the swelling crowd. Reinforcements, including forces from six nearby districts and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), were deployed. STF chief and Law & Order head Amitabh Yash had to personally intervene, confronting the rioters and dispersing them while brandishing a pistol.
Internet services in the violence-hit area have been suspended. The unrest began on Sunday in the Hardi area during the immersion of a Durga idol when a dispute arose between two communities over playing DJ music, escalating into a violent clash. The confrontation involved stone-pelting, arson, and over 20 rounds of gunfire. A 22-year-old youth, Ram Gopal Mishra, was killed after being shot. The police have registered an FIR against Abdul Hamid, Rinku, Faheem, Raja alias Sahir Khan, Nankau, Maruf Ali, and four unidentified persons. Ram Gopal's last rites were conducted late in the evening under heavy police presence. The state government has deployed additional PAC units from six districts, turning the area into a fortress.
On Monday morning, as Ram Gopal's body arrived home after the post-mortem, a crowd of 5,000-6,000 people gathered. They carried the body in a procession spanning nearly 5 km. Though the police attempted to calm the crowd and persuaded the family to take the body home, the mob remained in place, soon resorting to arson.
Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla has appealed for calm, urging community leaders to come forward for discussions, stating that dialogue is the only way to resolve the situation.
Meanwhile, drones are being used to monitor the situation, while residents whose homes were set on fire during the clashes were rescued. The police also detained at least 30 persons. One man, identified as Salman, was also arrested after police found evidence of shots being fired at the procession from his home and shop.
- With inputs from agencies
