A 22-year-old youth, Ram Gopal Mishra, died of a gunshot wound during a communal clash between two communities in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district on Sunday. The violence erupted over playing music during a Durga idol immersion procession, leading to stone pelting and firing. Around six others were injured in the altercation.
The incident occurred in Mansoor village, where the victim, Ram Gopal Mishra, a native of Rehua Mansoor village, was shot while walking with the procession. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. The area was gripped by communal tension following the death, prompting authorities to cancel similar processions in Fakharpur and other nearby towns.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence, ensuring the perpetrators would not be spared. He directed the police to maintain order during the idol immersions and to ensure their timely completion. Additional police forces were deployed in the affected areas to control the unrest.
However, the chief minister directed the administration not to halt the idol immersion in the area. "Idol immersion must continue. Communicate with religious organisations and get the idol immersion done on time," CM Adityanath told officials as quoted by news agency PTI.
Senior officials, including ADG KS Pratap Kumar and DIG Amarendra Pratap Singh, were dispatched to the site with reinforcements. Following the death, local villagers vandalised and set vehicles ablaze in Maharajganj market, further escalating the situation. Heavy police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) presence remains in the village to prevent further violence.
In response to the incident, Hardi Police Station head SK Verma and Mahsi outpost in-charge Shiv Kumar were suspended for negligence. Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla confirmed that police officers have been penalised, reported HT. UP DGP Prashant Kumar also reported sporadic arson incidents in neighbouring districts, including Gonda and Balrampur.