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The aftermath of the violence that erupted during a Durga Puja procession in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, continues to unfold with a dramatic encounter leaving two accused injured. Sarfaraz and Taleem, sons of Abdul Hameed, the main accused in the case, were shot while attempting to flee to Nepal. This incident has once again brought the spotlight onto the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, with political parties criticizing the state government's handling of the situation.
The encounter took place near the Handa Basehri area of Bahraich, close to the Nepal border. Both Sarfaraz and Taleem sustained injuries to their legs and were subsequently referred to the district hospital. Following the encounter, five individuals were apprehended, including the two injured accused.
Bahraich SP, Vrinda Shukla, confirmed the encounter and the arrest of the individuals. She stated that the weapon used in the incident had been recovered and further action would be taken based on the investigation. The SP also highlighted that the National Security Act (NSA) would be invoked against those accused of rioting in connection with the Durga Puja procession violence.
The postmortem report revealed that Ram Gopal Mishra, the 22-year-old who lost his life during the violence, died due to a bullet injury. This finding aimed to address speculations surrounding the cause of his death. Meanwhile, the family of Abdul Hameed, the main accused, expressed concern for their safety after their father and other family members were detained by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). They feared that their loved ones might be killed in an encounter.
The incident has triggered strong reactions from opposition parties, with the Congress accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of using encounters to cover up its failures in maintaining law and order. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed these sentiments, questioning the government's capabilities in managing the state's law and order situation. He criticized the government's reliance on encounters as a solution to the problem, highlighting the broader issues of governance and administrative failures.
The violence during the Durga Puja procession in Bahraich was sparked by a dispute over the playing of music. The incident resulted in Mishra's death and several injuries. Clashes ensued, with stones thrown and gunshots fired, culminating in the torching of the Lucknow Seva Hospital. Over 50 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. In the aftermath, Ram Gopal Mishra's family met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding strict action against the accused. The Chief Minister assured the family of justice and announced an immediate financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh.
This encounter further fuels the debate surrounding the use of encounters as a tool for law enforcement in Uttar Pradesh. While the state government claims to be taking stringent action against perpetrators of violence, opposition parties and human rights organizations question the legitimacy of such encounters and raise concerns about the possibility of extrajudicial killings.
Source: 2 Bahraich violence accused shot during encounter while trying to flee to Nepal