The recent encounter in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited a wave of criticism from the Congress party, which is labelling the incident as a "fake encounter." The party attributes the violence in the region to the failures of both the state government and local administration. This incident has sparked a broader discussion on law enforcement practices in Uttar Pradesh.
The controversy began when the Uttar Pradesh Police shot two suspects, Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib, in the leg while they allegedly attempted to flee towards Nepal.
In a press conference, UP Congress President Ajay Rai expressed grave concerns over the state’s approach to law enforcement. He claimed that the government has engaged in fake encounters for an extended period and that these actions are merely attempts to mask the administration's failures.
Congress MP Imran Masood also weighed in on the issue, emphasising that accountability should extend beyond the suspects to include those who instigated violence.
He pointed out that individuals responsible for the destruction of property and misconduct against women must be brought to justice. His statement reflects a growing frustration within the party regarding the government's handling of such incidents and its apparent lack of effective measures to prevent communal violence.
Congress leader Avinash Pandey echoed this sentiment, highlighting the troubling trend of encounters becoming a routine occurrence in the state. He described the Bahraich incident as unfortunate and called for the administration to take immediate steps to restore normalcy in the region. His remarks underscore the party’s push for a more accountable and responsive government.
Aradhana Misra-Mona, another Congress leader, articulated that the Bahraich incident was preventable. She criticised the government and administration for their lack of vigilance leading up to such significant events. Misra-Mona's comments resonate with those who feel that better foresight and proactive measures could have averted the violent clashes.
The Samajwadi Party also joined the chorus of criticism directed at the Uttar Pradesh government. Ravidas Mehrotra, a leader from the party, placed the blame squarely on the government and its administrative machinery.
He pointed out that there was a complete breakdown in police response during the violence, which included incidents of arson and looting. He described the police and administration as absent during the unrest, indicating that their negligence contributed significantly to the escalation of violence.
In the aftermath of the encounter, Amitabh Yash, the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) in Uttar Pradesh, confirmed that five individuals had been arrested in connection with the case.
He reported a brief exchange of gunfire that resulted in injuries to Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded, and the injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police Superintendent Vrinda Shukla clarified the circumstances of the encounter, stating that the police fired in self-defence. According to her, the police were attempting to recover a murder weapon when the two suspects opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate.
Shukla assured that strict action would be taken against the arrested individuals and that efforts were underway to locate additional suspects involved in the incident.
The Bahraich violence originated during a Durga idol immersion procession in the Mahasi area, where clashes erupted between two communities. Tragically, Ramgopal Mishra lost his life during these clashes, with several others sustaining injuries. This backdrop of communal tension exacerbates the situation, raising questions about the effectiveness of the government’s conflict resolution strategies.
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