Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that the violence in Bahraich was orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming state elections.
Speaking to ANI in Mainpuri, Yadav claimed, "Whatever happened in Bahraich was planned by the BJP in view of the upcoming elections in the state."
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According to a report by PTI, the violence erupted after a 22-year-old man, Ram Gopal Mishra, from Rehua Mansoor village, was shot dead on October 13 during a religious procession amid communal tension. In response, protesters responded by setting fire to shops, vehicles, and a hospital.
The violence began with a dispute over loud music being played near a place of worship in Maharajganj. As a result, it leads to arson, vandalism, clashes, and suspension of the internet for four days.
Police Register FIRs
Between October 13 and October 16, police registered at least 11 FIRs related to the killing and the subsequent violence. Cases were filed against approximately 1,000 individuals, including six named suspects.
Last week, two men accused of murdering, Ram Gopal Mishra, were shot in the leg by police while attempting to flee to Nepal. In addition, a station house officer (SHO) and a police outpost in-charge were suspended, and Circle Officer, Rupendra Gaur, Tehsildar Ravikant Dwivedi, and District Information Officer Ghulam Waris Siddiqui were removed from their posts.