‘Long chase’ with pistol in hand: How senior UP cop took on Bahraich mob

A senior police officer has become a hero in the eyes of witnesses in the Bahraich communal clashes over Durga idol immersions.

Witnesses say the intervention by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash — chasing away surging violent mobs only with a pistol — helped improve the situation on Tuesday (October 15). The rioters never returned.

A long chase with a pistol in hand

When tension spiralled in the Mahsi area in Bahraich district following the killing of Ram Gopal Mishra during a Durga idol immersion procession, the UP government rushed top officials, including Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjeev Gupta and Yash to Bahraich on Monday afternoon.

The violent mobs had set afire to several vehicles. But images widely shared on social media showed Yash chasing away some people with a pistol in his hand.

“A crowd had gathered from all sides. At one place, they had burnt two motorcycles, while at another place, two other vehicles were burnt down. It was here that ADGP (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash stepped in, and chased the anti-social elements, who were in an inebriated state. The chase was relatively long,” a witness told news agency PTI on Tuesday (October 15).

Officer who “meant business”

He added that “unless and until, they (troublemakers) know that you mean business, they will continue to create ruckus and won’t stop. They were chased away for a long distance.”

When the policemen returned (after driving away the anti-social elements), the “situation had improved”.

Even at night, police personnel accompanied by Amitabh Yash went to that same patch of the road to review the situation.

Importance of leadership

Former DGP of UP, OP Singh, emphasised the importance of leadership and the need for prompt action to prevent communal riots.

“Leading from the front is very important…When a senior police officer leads the force, he galvanises the entire machinery, and by galvanising you try to restore the semblance of law and order. And this is what had happened,” former DGP of UP OP Singh told PTI on Tuesday.

Another former DGP of UP Brij Lal, who is currently a Rajya Sabha MP from UP, said the morale of the force increases when the officer leads the charge.

“When there is a serious problem, the leader of the force has to lead from the front, and then the morale of our force increases,” he said.

How situation escalated

Scores of people, some armed with sticks, walked in the funeral cortege of the youth as tension escalated with angry crowds out in the streets indulging in arson and vandalism on Monday.

The last rites of Ram Gopal Mishra (22), who died during the communal violence that broke out in the Maharajganj area near Rehua Mansoor village in Mahsi tehsil on Sunday, were performed amid heavy security.

About half a dozen people were injured in stone pelting and firing that followed his death.

There were protests at several places and slogans raised against police and officials, even as forces conducted flag marches. Angry protesters set some shops, houses and vehicles ablaze as black smoke billowed into the sky.

Over 50 arrested

By Monday evening, a large contingent of security forces was deployed in the area to bring the situation under control.

Over 50 people have been arrested after the communal violence, as markets remained shut and people stayed indoors for a second day in a row amid heavy deployment of police and other security personnel.

The area remained virtually cut off with mobile and broadband internet suspended.

A total of 12 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), along with additional police forces from Gorakhpur zone, have been deployed to monitor the district, it said.

CM meets victim’s family

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday met Mishra’s family and said the culprits of this unforgivable incident will not be spared.

The chief minister has directed to provide immediate financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family and benefits under other welfare schemes, BJP MLA from Mahsi Sureshwar Singh, who accompanied the parents and the wife of the victim, Ram Gopal Mishra, to the meeting in Lucknow said.

After the meeting, Mishra’s cousin Kishan Mishra said, “We have got everything we need from the chief minister. The entire family is confident that we will get justice.”

He said that Adityanath had assured that strict action will be taken against the criminals. “We are satisfied with the assurance he has given,” Kishan said.

Situation “under control”

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Deepak Kumar told PTI that the situation in Bahraich was under control. Internet services have been suspended in the district as a precautionary measure.

“Efforts are underway to identify the anti-social elements and police officers are taking action on them. Over 50 arrests have been made so far and soon further action will be taken by the police,” District Magistrate Monika Rani told reporters.

A senior official at the superintendent of police's office said all arrests were preventive except for two accused, who have been arrested in connection with Sunday’s violence.

Three FIRs lodged

So far three FIRs have been lodged over the violence on Sunday and Monday while the process is underway to lodge some more complaints, the PRO of the SP Bahraich said.

Yash remained camped in Bahraich on Tuesday as well.

“The situation is returning to normalcy. The route between Bahraich and Sitapur has been reopened. Security and patrolling are being ensured in the 20-km radius of Maharajganj with the deployment of personnel from the police, Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) along with senior officers of the district police and administration. There is heightened vigilance, especially in sensitive areas,” Yash told reporters.

DIG (Devipatan Range) Amrendra Prasad Singh said after the incident an FIR was lodged at the local Hardi police station against six named and four unnamed accused for alleged murder and violence.

“Those booked are Abdul Hameed, his son Sarfaraz alias Rinku, Faheem, Raja alias Shahid, all four of Maharajganj, Nankau and Maroof Ali, both from Rehua Mansoor village, and four unknown persons under the relevant provisions of the BNS,” Singh added.

Internet services may resume today

Locals in Rehua Mansoor village and Maharajganj town largely remained inside their homes and roads were deserted.

The markets in other parts of the district were open.

“The mobile internet services were suspended Monday morning while wired service in the evening. We have been asked by the government officials to do it,” a private internet service provider told PTI.

He said internet services are expected to resume by Wednesday.

(With agency inputs)