Akhilesh Yadav says Bahraich violence ‘planned by BJP’ | Latest Indian News

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday that the violence in Bahraich was planned by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Whatever happened in Bahraich was planned by the BJP keeping in mind the upcoming elections in the state,” he told ANI in Mainpuri.

Shops, cars and a hospital were set on fire by protesters after a man died from a gunshot wound during a religious procession.

Ram Gopal Mishra, 22, a resident of Rehua Mansoor village, was shot dead on October 13 during a communal clash.

The communal conflict was sparked by a dispute over loud music playing near a place of worship in Maharajganj. The incident escalated into communal violence, leading to arson and vandalism in the area, as well as an internet blackout for four days.

From October 13 to 16, at least 11 FIRs were registered in the district in connection with Mishra’s murder and the ensuing violence.

Cases were registered against about 1,000 people, including six named individuals.

By October 18, UP police had arrested 87 people.

Two men accused of killing Mishra were shot in the leg by police during an encounter last week. They tried to escape to Nepal.

The station house officer (SHO) and police post in-charge were suspended following the communal violence, while district officer Rupendra Gaur, Tehsildar Ravikant Dwivedi and district information officer Ghulam Waris Siddiqui were suspended from their posts.

Also read: Demolition process after Bahraich violence: ‘There is no reason to believe that UP govt will not follow SC order,’ says Allahabad HC

Meanwhile, the UP administration served demolition notices to scores of people in the vicinity.

The Allahabad High Court has given more time to these people to file their replies.

The court has set October 23 as the next hearing date in the case.

With inputs from PTI, ANI