As protests in Bahraich turned violent on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya appealed to maintain peace and emphasized that the culprits will be given “strict punishment” and victims will get “complete justice.”
In a post on X, Dy CM Maurya asserted that any conspiracy to disturb the peace and harmony of Uttar Pradesh will not succeed.
“Those who provide protection to the rioters are once again becoming active, but we have to be cautious and vigilant. The bright future of the state will not be allowed to be tampered with. The culprits will be brought under the ambit of the law and given strict punishment and the victims will get complete justice. I appeal to all the citizens to maintain peace and patience,” he said.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also appealed to the people to maintain peace and not take the law in their hands.
“The news of violence in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh and the inaction of the administration are extremely sad and unfortunate. I appeal to the Chief Minister of the state and the state administration to take immediate action, take the public into confidence and stop the violence. Strictest action should be taken against the culprits. My humble appeal to the public is that please do not take the law into your own hands and maintain peace,” Priyanka said in a post on X.
Vrinda Shukla, Bahraich Supreintendent of Police said that the situation is under control now.
“We are gaining control of the whole situation. We have mobilised all our forces. We are trying to disperse all the miscreants who are trying to create trouble. The situation is under control,” SP Shukla said.
Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad alleged that if there were proper police preparations, such an incident would not have happened.
“I appeal to the residents of Bahraich and all sections of the society to contribute to restoring peace there. This a heart-wrenching and painful incident. If the police preparations were made, such an incident would not have happened. It is the CM and administration’s responsibility to ensure law and order and brotherhood among people in the state,” Prasad said.
On Sunday, one person was killed while several others were injured after two communities clashed during Durga idol immersion procession in the Mahasi area.
The incident happened on October 13 when, according to the police, the procession was passing by a Muslim area when an argument took place between the two groups on some issue.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the situation and emphasized that those who seek to vitiate the atmosphere in Bahraich will not be spared.
“Those who spoil the atmosphere in Mahsi of Bahraich district will not be spared. 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,” Yogi said in a post on X.
“Immersion of idols will continue. Administration and police officials have been directed to be present on the spot and communicate with religious organizations to ensure that the immersion of idols is done on time,” the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
