Communal tension broke out after a 22-year old man died during the Durga idol immersion in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district. The man was identified as Ramgopal Mishra. The incident led to huge unrest in Mahsi Maharajganj area under the Hardi police station of Bahraich. Security was beefed up across the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called emergency meeting and instructed the police officials to take strict action against the fringe elements. The Chief Minister also asked the cops to identify the elements.
Internet connection has been suspended in the area.
News of communal tension was reported from adjoining districts including Gonda and Balrampur. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar confirmed one death had taken place in sporadic incidents of arson. “ADG Gorakhpur zone KS Pratap Kumar and DIG range, Devipattan, Amarendra Pratap Singh with additional force have been rushed to the spot of the incident,” said the DGP.
Local villagers had vandalised vehicles by setting them ablaze in Maharajganj market after the news of Ramgopal Mishra’s death spread.
A heavy contingent of police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), called in from adjoining districts, was deployed in the village in the presence of senior officers including SP Bahraich Vrinda Shukla, DIG Amarendra Prasad Singh and divisional commissioner Shashi Bhushan Lal.
The Chief Minister instructed the Bahraich district and police administration to continue the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga without any trouble after the immersion of idols from neighbouring areas – Fakharpur, Ramgaon, and Kaisarganj, was suspended due to massive demonstration by the family of the deceased and locals.
