Bahraich violence: 1 dead over loud music during Durga immersion, internet suspended

Police have booked a man and detained around 30 people in connection with communal violence that broke out in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich and led to the death of a 22-year-old, officials said on Monday (October 14).

The face-off occurred on Sunday in the Mahrajganj area of Mansoor village when a Durga idol immersion procession passed through. Around half a dozen people were injured in stone pelting and firing.

On Monday, a hospital and shops were set on fire. The local administration has suspended the internet in the Mahsi area of Bahraich.

Case registered against one

Superintendent of Police (SP), Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla said 25–30 people have been detained and efforts are on to bring normalcy in the areas affected by disturbance.

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She added that an adequate police force has been deployed. “All anarchist elements will be identified,” Shukla said, adding that stringent action would be taken against them.

The SP said a case has been registered against a person identified as Salman. Gunshots were fired from his house, which also functions as a shop.

Identities of those involved in the incident are being ascertained and some suspects have been detained, she said.

Violence over loud music

Sunday’s violence was triggered by a disagreement over music being blasted out from loudspeakers while the procession was passing through the area.

Ram Gopal Mishra of Rehua Mansoor village was walking in the procession when he suffered a bullet wound. He was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment, one of his family members said.

The area was fraught with communal tension after the killing. Similar processions were cancelled in Fakharpur town and some other places.

Police deployed

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath denounced the violence and directed the administration to communicate with religious organisations and get the idol immersions done on time.

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He said the guilty would not be spared and also directed police to deploy personnel at the immersion sites.

"Those who disturbed the law and order situation in Bahraich's Mahsi will not be spared. Safety is guaranteed to all, but instructions have been given to identify the rioters and those whose negligence led to the incident and take strict action against them," Adityanath said.

"Immersion of idols will continue. Administration and police officials have been directed to be present on the spot and speak with religious organisations to ensure that the immersion of idols is done," he added.

Police were deployed in the village too.

(With agency inputs)