Bahraich on the boil: Tensions surge after man dies during Durga idol immersion, police use tear gas (WATCH)

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Oct 14, 2024, 12:41 PM IST

A protest in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich has escalated into violence, leading to the deployment of tear gas and a police lathi charge following the death of a 22-year-old man during a Durga idol immersion. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, igniting communal tensions in the Mahasi's Maharajganj area.

Also read: Bahraich violence victim was seen waving Saffron flag shortly before being shot dead; video emerges (WATCH)

Uttar Pradesh: Police resorted to tear gas and lathi charge as a protest in Bahraich turned violent. The unrest was triggered by the death of a person who was shot during the Durga idol immersion in Mahasi's Maharajganj area.

— National Women's Unity Organization (@rastriyemahila1)

बहराइच, यूपी में कल रात बवाल हुआ। आज सुबह गोपाल मिश्रा के अंतिम संस्कार में भीड़ जुटने लगी। उसे रोकने के कोई इंतजाम नहीं थे। भीड़ के हाथों में लाठी-डंडे थे। 1 किलोमीटर से ज्यादा लंबी अंतिम यात्रा होगी। देखते-देखते भीड़ हिंसक हो गई। रास्ते में जो मकान-दुकान-वाहन मिले...फूंक दिए। pic.twitter.com/MeDDJafCSf

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP)

जब-जब देश के दलित, पिछड़े व आदिवासी अपने हक़ अधिकार माँगने लगते हैं, तब-तब देश में फ़ेक हिंदुत्वा का नैरेटिव बनाया जाता है. जिससे देश को ज़रूरी मुद्दों से भटकाया जा सके. pic.twitter.com/02uC3vhEAi

— Dilip (@dilipyadav_10)

Bahraich Violence: उत्तर प्रदेश के बहराइच में दुर्गा विसर्जन के दौरान बवाल | Uttar Pradesh Clash pic.twitter.com/KH1ie8D3sK

— First India News (@1stIndiaNews)

Tap to resize

Latest Videos

Tap to resize

The unrest erupted on Sunday when a Durga idol immersion procession passed through Mansoor village. Disagreements arose over loud music played from loudspeakers, reportedly aggravating tensions among local residents.

Amid the festivities, gunfire rang out from a house that doubles as a shop, resulting in the fatal shooting of Ram Gopal Mishra, who was participating in the procession. Witnesses reported that he was struck by a bullet, and despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

अगर इस्लामिक झंडा हटाकर लगाने से मौत आती है तो आने दो,हम पूरे भारत को बनाकर ही दम लेंगे।। मां भारती के आपकी बेकार नही जायेगी।।
@yogiaaditaynath pic.twitter.com/jSj2bE4a2C

— Bholanath Pandey(Modi ka parivar) (@Bholana86984035)

, UP: 20-year-old Hindu man, Ram Gopal Mishra, shot dead.

Why?

Hindus were taking out idol immersion procession in Maharajganj area when, out of nowhere, stones were pelted at them. In protest, Gopal climbed onto the house of one Abdul Hameed and replaced the green… pic.twitter.com/F7fvEBZ6Mf

— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma)

Bahraich (UP) : Mata Durga Idol immersion was attacked by IsIamists. A 22 yo Hindu boy Gopal Mishra died in firing incident.
CM has ordered strict action against the rioters & ensure immersion with peace.

They don't let us celebrate any single festival with… pic.twitter.com/GSVTe2mEuX

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_)

बहराइच में बवाल, आगजनी, गाड़ियां जलाई गई!

बहराइच के लखनऊ सेवा अस्पताल में भीड़ ने आग लगाई

तनाव बढ़ा पुलिस अधिकारी और फोर्स पीछे हट चुकी है।

पुलिसकर्मी जी लेकर भाग रहे हैं पीएसी की संख्या भी पर्याप्त नहीं,

नियंत्रण से बाहर हो रही स्थिति! pic.twitter.com/JjBlKTGHgd

— अभिषेक 'अजनबी' ✍🏻 (@abhishekAZNABI)

In the aftermath, police have acted swiftly, booking a man identified as Salman, who is alleged to have fired the shots from his residence. Superintendent of Police (SP) Vrinda Shukla confirmed that around 30 individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, and additional efforts are underway to restore order in the affected areas. "All anarchist elements will be identified," she stated, vowing stringent action against those involved.

The communal violence has led to injuries for several others, primarily from stone pelting during the chaos that followed the gunfire. The situation has forced local authorities to cancel similar idol immersion processions in nearby towns, including Fakharpur, as a precautionary measure.

Bahraich: Entire village gathers to say goodbye to its son Gopal Mishra.....

I hope ji will ensure justice in his own style.... pic.twitter.com/fa4FqlqI4J

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_)

In response to the escalating unrest, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the violence, calling for immediate action to ensure peaceful idol immersions. He directed the administration to engage with religious organizations to facilitate timely rituals and ordered the deployment of police personnel at immersion sites to prevent further incidents.

The heavy police presence in Bahraich is a clear indication of the authorities' efforts to maintain peace. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, residents remain on edge, anxious about the potential for further unrest.

Also read: Bahraich communal clashes: 1 killed during Durga idol immersion; UP CM says guilty won't be spared (WATCH)

For more reliable and latest news