Akhilesh Yadav Says Bahraich Violence Was BJP's Brainchild: 'In View Of Upcoming Polls...'

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav claimed on Monday that the violence in Bahraich was orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Whatever happened in Bahraich was planned by the BJP in view of the upcoming elections in the state," he told ANI while in Mainpuri.

Shops, vehicles, and a hospital were set ablaze by protestors following the death of a man from a gunshot wound during a religious procession.

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

The unrest was triggered by a dispute over loud music being played outside a place of worship in Maharajganj. The incident escalated into communal violence, resulting in arson, vandalism, and a four-day internet suspension in the area.

Between October 13 to 16 , at least 11 FIRs were lodged in the district in connection with Mishra's death and the subsequent violence.

Cases were filed against around 1,000 individuals, including six named suspects.

Two men accused of Mishra's murder were shot in the leg by police during a recent encounter as they attempted to flee to Nepal.

In the aftermath of the violence, a station house officer (SHO) and a police outpost in-charge were suspended, while Circle Officer Rupendra Gaur, Tehsildar Ravikant Dwivedi, and District Information Officer Ghulam Waris Siddiqui were removed from their posts.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh administration served demolition notices to several people in the area.

The Allahabad High Court granted more time for these individuals to submit their responses. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 23.

(With agency inputs)