Bahraich Violence: Govt Should Have Taken Note Of Route, Adequate Security Deployment, Says Akhilesh

Akhilesh also raised questions over the songs that were played on loudspeakers during the idol immersion and added that the government should have taken note of the route of the idol procession.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Monday hit out of the Bahraich violence saying that the UP government should have ensured adequate security and police deployment. 

He said that the government should do justice and urged all the concerned parties to work towards maintaining law and order. 

"First of all, I would like to appeal that all the concerned parties should work towards maintaining the law and order. What happened is unfortunate. The administration, government and media know why it happened. Government should do justice," Akhilesh Yadav told news agency ANI.

The SP chief also raised questions over the songs that were played on loudspeakers during the idol immersion on Sunday and added that the government should have taken note of the route of the procession.  

"When the procession began, administration should have taken note of its route, adequate security on the route, adequate Police deployment. If I tell you what was being played on those loudspeakers, then government will say something else. But the Administration should have at least taken note of what was being played (on loudspeakers), are they insulting anyone?" Akhilesh added. 

There were violent protests in Bahraich on Monday after a 22-year-old man was killed in communal violence during a Durga idol immersion procession. Restless crowds, some people armed with sticks and iron rods, roamed the streets and shops were set on fire in the UP district. 

Police have booked a man and detained around 30 people in connection with the unrest that broke out in the Mahrajganj area of Mansoor village when a Durga idol immersion procession passed through on Sunday. 

Around half a dozen people were injured in stone pelting and firing. There were protests at several places and slogans raised against police and administrative officials, even as police forces conducted flag marches in the area.  

Priyanka Gandhi Calls For Immediate Action

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the administration's inaction amid the violence in Bahraich is unfortunate and appealed to CM Yogi Adityanath to take the strictest action against the culprits.

"The news of violence in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh and the inaction of the administration are extremely sad and unfortunate. I appeal to the chief minister of the state and the state administration to take immediate action, take the public into confidence and stop the violence. Strictest action should be taken against the culprits," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi.

"My humble appeal to the public is that please do not take the law into your own hands and maintain peace," the Congress general secretary said. CM Yogi has denounced the violence and said the guilty will not be spared.