A local court in Maharajganj sent five men to 14 days’ judicial custody for the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra, a 22-year-old shot during a Hindu-Muslim confrontation. Following his death, 60 arrests were made amid widespread violence, prompting heavy police deployment and ongoing tensions in the district.
Uttar Pradesh: In a significant development, a local court on Friday ordered 14 days’ judicial custody for five men arrested in connection with the murder of a youth during a Durga idol procession in the Maharajganj area. The accused—Sarfaraz, Mohd Talim, Abdul Hameed, Faheem, and Mohd Afzal—were presented before Chief Judicial Magistrate Pratibha Chaudhary.
The unrest began when Ram Gopal Mishra, a 22-year-old participant in the religious procession, was tragically shot dead during a Hindu-Muslim confrontation. His murder has had far-reaching consequences, triggering widespread violence in the region. As of now, 60 individuals have been arrested in relation to the incident, including those involved in the subsequent arson and vandalism that followed Mishra’s death.
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The violence erupted when angry mobs took to the streets, setting ablaze numerous houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles in their fury. The situation in Maharajganj has been tense, prompting authorities to hold the court hearing at the CJM’s residence for safety reasons.
Almost a week after the tragic events, the atmosphere in the district remains tense, with many shops still shuttered amid a heavy police presence. Barricades have been set up at various locations, and police checks are being conducted on vehicles attempting to pass through.
In an alarming reflection of the current state of affairs, the main mosque in Maharajganj Bazar, the epicenter of the violence, saw no worshippers for Friday prayers, while attendance was low in other mosques across the district. The local market was devoid of shoppers, underscoring the impact of the unrest on daily life.
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Maharajganj continues to be under vigilant surveillance, with drones and helicopters monitoring the area from the sky. On the ground, police, PAC, and RRF soldiers are maintaining order. The district has been divided into nine sectors and three zones, each supervised by magistrates to ensure stability.
The five accused men were apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh Police after a gunfight during which two of them sustained bullet wounds. Authorities claim the suspects were attempting to flee to Nepal when they were confronted by law enforcement. The gunfight occurred in the Hada Basehari area, situated about 15 kilometers from Rupaidiha, a key transit point between India and Nepal.
The incident and its aftermath highlight the ongoing tensions in the region and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining peace and order.
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