In a major breakthrough regarding the Bahraich violence, two of the five suspects were injured during an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday afternoon. They were identified as Sarfaraz and Talib.
Reports said that Sarfaraz and Talib were attempting to flee to Nepal when they engaged in a shootout with the STF, resulting in injuries to their legs.
The encounter occurred near the Handa Besari Canal, close to the Nepal border.
The five, accused of fomenting communal tension during a Durga Puja procession and killing a 22-year-old man, were allegedly trying to flee to Nepal, which shares a border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said.
The gunfight took place in the Hada Basehari area under the Nanpara police station limits near the Nepal border, according to the official. Hada Basehari is around 15 km from Rupaidiha — a transit point between India and Nepal.
“Five accused have been arrested,” Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said.
Speaking about the encounter, he said, “I have information about the exchange of fire and gunshot injuries.”
Yash, who is also the chief of the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police, said the Bahraich police, investigating the murder and subsequent violence, has already established the link of one of the accused in Nepal.
He said that two of the accused injured in the encounter were in a stable condition.
Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said those arrested have been identified as Mohammad Faheen, Mohammad Sarfaraz and Abdul Hameed, who are named accused in the FIR — and two others Mohammad Taleem alias Sabloo and Mohammad Afzal.
According to Kumar, a police team arrested Faheen and Taleem. Acting on the information given by the duo, the team went to recover the weapon used in the murder in the Nanpara area, however, it came under fire from Hameed, Sarfaraz and Afzal. In retaliatory firing, Sarfaraz and Taleem were injured.
“They are being treated. The weapon used in the murder has been recovered,” the UP Police chief said in a statement.
Violence broke out in Maharajganj in the Mahsi tehsil of Bahraich district on Sunday allegedly over loud music being played outside a place of worship during a Durga Puja immersion procession.
A local, Ram Gopal Mishra (22), part of the passing group, died of gunshot wounds in the ensuing violence, triggering vandalism and arson in the area with mobs torching several houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals and vehicles.
After visiting the hospital, Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla told reporters that provisions of the National Security Act would be invoked in the case.
She said the accused were in a bid to cross over to Nepal when they were held in the Nanpara area of Bahraich district.
Hameed, Sarfaraz and Faheen were named as accused in the FIR over the murder case while the names of the other two cropped up during the investigation, she said.
A total of 10 accused, four named and six unidentified, were mentioned as accused in the murder case.
According to police, one accused in the case who was identified as Raja alias Sahir alias Danish was held on Wednesday while searches are underway to nab the other four unidentified people.
Earlier on Thursday, local authorities restored internet services that had been suspended due to the unrest.
The police have issued a stern warning against the spread of rumors, urging residents to prioritise communal harmony as efforts to restore peace continue.
In a video message, Additional Superintendent of Police Pavitra Mohan Tripathi stated, “In relation to the incident in Maharajganj on October 13, false information is being circulated on social media to disrupt communal harmony. Claims that the deceased was electrocuted, attacked with a sword, or had his nails pulled out are unfounded.”
He added, “No other fatalities occurred during this incident. We request everyone to ignore rumours and refrain from disseminating false information.”
