Two individuals accused in the violent incidents during a Durga Puja procession in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, were shot during an encounter with police, officials reported on Thursday. Sarfaraz and Taleem are implicated in the murder of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra, who was killed on October 13 during the procession.
The encounter occurred near the Handa Basehri area, close to the Nepal border, as the suspects attempted to escape. Both Sarfaraz and Taleem sustained injuries to their legs and have been referred to a district hospital for treatment. The primary suspect, Abdul Hameed, is the father of the accused.
Following the encounter, five individuals were arrested. Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla confirmed, “Two of the injured are Mohammed Sarfaraz and Mohammed Taleem. They are receiving medical attention, and the weapon used in the incident has been recovered.”
The police investigation revealed that Ram Gopal Mishra died from a bullet wound, dismissing any speculation regarding the cause of his death. Rukhsar, Abdul Hameed’s daughter, expressed concern for her family, claiming that the UP Special Task Force (STF) detained her father and two brothers without any notification, fearing they might be killed in an encounter.
In response to the encounter, the Congress party criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for allegedly trying to “cover up” its failures. UP Congress chief Ajai Rai stated, “The government has a history of fake encounters. They are simply trying to hide their inadequacies.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the Yogi Adityanath administration, questioning their ability to maintain law and order. He remarked, “If law and order improved through encounters alone, UP would have made significant progress by now. This reflects the failure of the government and administration.”
The unrest in Bahraich began during the Durga idol immersion procession when disputes arose over music being played. The violence escalated with stone-pelting and gunfire, resulting in Mishra’s death and injuries to several others. During the protests, miscreants vandalized Lucknow Seva Hospital, damaging equipment and property.
To date, over 50 individuals have been arrested in connection with the Bahraich violence. Following the incident, Ram Gopal Mishra’s family met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alongside BJP MLA Sureshvar Singh, to demand justice and strict action against the perpetrators.
