Tragedy struck in Bahraich when Ram Gopal Mishra, a 22-year-old resident of Rehua Mansoor village, was fatally shot during a communal face-off on October 13. The incident was sparked by an argument over loud music played outside a place of worship in Maharajganj, which quickly escalated into violence, arson, and vandalism.
In the aftermath, protests turned destructive, with shops, vehicles, and even a hospital being torched. The authorities responded by suspending internet services for four days and registering 11 FIRs against approximately 1,000 individuals, including six named suspects.
Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party chief, has pointed fingers at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the violence was orchestrated to sway upcoming elections in the state. “Whatever happened in Bahraich was planned by the BJP,” he stated ¹.
The police took swift action, shooting and injuring two suspects accused of Mishra’s murder during an encounter. The suspects were attempting to flee to Nepal. Additionally, several officials, including a station house officer and a police outpost in-charge, were suspended, while others were removed from their positions.
In another development, the UP administration issued demolition notices to residents in the area. The Allahabad High Court has granted them additional time to respond, with the next hearing scheduled for October 23.This disturbing incident highlights the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region, with politics and religion intertwined in complex and potentially volatile ways.
