Bahraich, a city close to Indo-Nepal border, has been in the headlines for nearly three months, with various incidents keeping it in the spotlight. From the terror of wolves to connections with a high-profile murder case in Mumbai, Bahraich has been struggling with a series of crises. Most recently, the city was engulfed in violence following the murder of a youth during a religious procession, leading to widespread unrest.
The situation escalated on Sunday, the day after Dussehra, when one Ramgopal Mishra was shot dead during a Durga idol immersion procession. The incident sparked a wave of anger, leading to large-scale protests, vandalism, and arson across the city. Angry mobs took to the streets, clashing with authorities, and causing chaos in several areas.
The mob ransacked shops, torched vehicles, and damaged properties across Shivpur, Raji Chowk, Khaira Bazar, and other areas.
By Monday morning, the unrest had intensified to such an extent that the situation was deemed out of control, prompting senior police officials from Lucknow to intervene. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath monitored the developments closely, ensuring a swift response to bring the situation under control.
As of Tuesday, the situation in the violence-hit areas of Bahraich has stabilized. Shops have reopened, and residents have begun to step out of their homes. The administration has provided relief to affected families, distributing essential supplies. However, as a precaution, internet services remain suspended in the area to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The Bahraich police have arrested 52 individuals accused of inciting communal violence and sent them to jail. Two additional FIRs have been registered against those involved in the unrest. SP Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla, has assured that senior officials are patrolling sensitive areas, and efforts are ongoing to identify more suspects based on video footage from the incidents.
Fear of Wolves
Before the recent violence, Bahraich had been terrorized by a different kind of menace: man-eating wolves. Over the past three months, these predators had killed ten people, including children, and left many others injured. The district administration and forest department launched a large-scale operation to capture the wolves, even using drone mapping for surveillance.
Five wolves were caught and relocated to zoos in Gorakhpur and Lucknow, but one injured wolf remained elusive. The attacks left nearly 50 villages in fear, with families staying indoors, and men standing guard during the night. Some families even sent their children away to relatives in other cities for safety. The terror began in March, and by July, attacks had escalated, with wolves often targeting children sleeping inside their homes.
Mumbai murder case: Bahraich’s unexpected connection
The district found itself embroiled in a high-profile murder case when the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui in Mumbai was linked to Bahraich. On October 12, Baba Siddiqui, a former minister, was shot dead by three assailants.
Two of the shooters—Dharmraj Kashyap and Shivkumar—were residents of Bahraich’s Kaiserganj area, while a third accomplice hailed from Haryana.
Mumbai police arrested Dharmraj Kashyap, but Shivkumar remains at large. In their search, the police detained two more youths from Bahraich, and an investigation is underway with the collaboration of the Mumbai police and Uttar Pradesh STF.
