Lucknow: Clash between two communities during the immersion procession of goddess Durga idol led to the death of a man in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place on Sunday in the Mahasi area when the procession was passing through an area with a predominant Musilm population, police said.
Taking note of the incident, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that those who spoiled the peaceful atmosphere in Bahraich will be punished.
“Those who spoil the atmosphere in Mahsi of Bahraich district will not be spared. Safety is guaranteed to all, but instructions have been given to identify the rioters and those whose negligence led to the incident and take strict action against them. Immersion of idols will continue. Administration and police officials have been directed to be present on the spot and communicate with religious organizations to ensure that the immersion of idols is done on time,” CM Yogi said on X.
Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP), Vrinda Shukla said, “In Mahasi’s Maharajganj area, a procession was passing by a Masjid through a Muslim area. The groups argued on some issues. A person from the Hindu community died after bullets were fired on him and thereafter a tense situation arose.”
“At various places, Visarjan was stopped which some mischievous elements took advantage of and tried to create disturbance. The incident which took place in Maharajganj in which a person was shot, 30 people have been taken into custody and the case has been registered. The search for the main accused who is absconding is underway,” Bahraich SP added.
To maintain law and order and instill confidence among the citizens, police conducted a route march after clashes broke out.