UP: One killed in communal clash during Durga idol immersion procession in Bahraich

One person was killed and at least four others were injured on Sunday in a communal clash during a Durga idol immersion procession in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, The Hindu reported.

The incident in the Mahsi tehsil under the Hardi police station limits took place after miscreants threw stones and fired gunshots at the procession, the newspaper reported. The microphone used in the procession was also disconnected.

A 22-year-old man named Ram Gopal Mishra died of a gunshot wound, The Indian Express reported.

The altercation was reportedly triggered after some Muslims objected to music being played in the procession, the newspaper quoted unidentified police officials as saying. A video widely shared on social media purportedly showed Mishra removing a green flag from a building and replacing it with a saffron flag during the procession.

Station House Officer Suresh Kumar Verma said that the police were yet to confirm the sequence of events that led to the death of Mishra.

After Mishra was killed, a crowd gathered outside the district hospital and refused to conduct the last rites of the body, demanding action against the culprits. Several shops and vehicles were set on fire.

Protestors also refused to immerse Durga idols in the district until the culprits were arrested.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath said that he had directed authorities to take strict action against the culprits.

“Those who spoil the atmosphere in Mahsi of Bahraich district will not be spared,” the chief minister said on social media on Sunday. “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.”

The administration and the police will coordinate with religious organisations to ensure that the immersion of idols continues and is done on time, Adityanath said.

Violence in West Bengal

Violence also erupted in the Shyampur area of West Bengal’s Howrah district on Sunday over an allegedly objectionable picture made at a drawing competition during Durga Puja celebrations, The Indian Express reported.

Several persons were arrested based on a complaint filed by a community, Howrah Superintendent of Police Swati Bhangalia said. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure were also imposed in the area.

The details of the objections and who raised them were unclear.

“In the Howrah district, unrest broke out during a Durga Puja celebration over a photo,” the newspaper quoted Bhangalia as saying. “The community objected to the photo and they came to the police station to submit a deputation. The deputation was received and a complaint was taken. Accordingly, a case was filed and arrests were also made.”

Bhangalia added: “However, a section of them attacked the police, who retaliated and made more arrests.”

Bhangalia said that the police had arrested 25 to 30 persons. She said that the situation in Howrah was under control and urged the public to maintain calm.

The state’s Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded that the police and the administration must take action against “unruly vandals”.