Bahraich Violence: The main accused of Bahraich violence, Sarfaraz, was shot at in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. It is being said that Sarfaraz and his friend and accused Talib were planning to flee to Nepal along with three others. Talib has also been shot in the leg. The duo has been admitted to a hospital after suffering gunshot injuries.
According to UP DGP Prashant Kumar, the police had arrested the accused and for taking them for weapons' recovery near the India-Nepal border. When the two accused tried to run away, the police fired shots at them to stop them.
Communal tensions erupted in Bahraich on Sunday after violence broke out during a Durga idol immersion procession. A 22-year-old man Ramgopal Mishra was shot at during the clashes. He later succumbed to the gunshot injuries. Six others were injured during the clashes in stone-pelting and gunfire.
The clash began at Maharajganj under Mahsi Tehsil over the alleged playing of loud music outside a place of worship during the immersion procession. After Mishra's death, the incident escalated into arson and vandalism in the area as angry mobs torched shops, houses, hospitals, and vehicles.
Since then multiple FIRs have been registered and police have rounded up 55 suspects in connection with the communal clashes. There is heavy deployment of security in the area to maintain law and order.
A police officer stated that raids were conducted in Nakwa and Chandpara villages on Wednesday late night to nab the main accused, but he was not arrested. The family of the deceased has lodged an FIR against six named and four unknown people. Only one person has been nabbed so far.
UP DGP Prashant Kumar said: "When the Police were taking the five arrested accused for weapons recovery near India-Nepal border, the two accused tried to run away. As they tried to run away, shots were fired. During this, Mohammed Sarfaraz and Mohammed Talib were injured. Abdul Hameed, Fahim, and Abdul Afzal were arrested. Total five accused arrested."
Internet Services Restored In Bahraich
Earlier today, interne services that were shut down after the incident, were restored in the district as local authorities tried to restore peace and normalcy. The police have also issued a stern warning against spreading rumours, and has urged the residents to prioritise communal harmony as efforts are on to restore peace in the area.
In a video message, Additional Superintendent of Police Pavitra Mohan Tripathi said, "In relation to the incident in Maharajganj on October 13, false information is being spread on social media to disrupt communal harmony. Claims that the deceased was electrocuted, attacked with a sword, or had his nails pulled out are baseless."
He said that the post-mortem report has confirmed that the cause of Mishra's death was gunshot wounds.
"No other fatalities occurred in this incident. We request everyone to ignore rumours and refrain from spreading false information," Tripathi added.