Six Arrested, Including Main Conspirator, in Bahraich Communal Violence

Bahraich:Police on Sunday arrested six persons, including "main conspirator" Shakeel Ahmed, in connection with Bahraich communal violence case in which a 22-year-old youth named Ram Gopal Mishra was killed, a senior official said.

Police have also anunced a reward of Rs 10,000 each for arrest of absconding accused Saif Ali, Javed and Shoaib.

Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla on Sunday told reporters that two cases were registered at Hardi police station under various sections of BNS, including 191(2) (rioting), 103(2) (murder), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 109 (attempt to murder), and under Arms Act in connection with Mishra's murder during immersion procession of a Durga idol in Maharajganj town, and subsequent violence.

During investigation, names of main conspirator 52-year-old Shakeel Ahmed alias Bablu, a resident of Maharajganj, his brors Mohamm Irfan (29) and Farhan Raza (24), and Haseeb (33), Tausif (25) and orani (28), who were involved in disturbing communal harmony -- emerged, Shukla said.

All se six accused were arrested and sent to jail through court, Bahraich SP said. She furr said, "In course of investigation, apart from above arrested accused, Maharajganj residents Saif Ali, Javed and Shoaib have also been found to be involved in incident. All three are absconding, and police have anunced a reward of Rs 10,000 on each of m." "Two criminal cases are alrey registered against main conspirator Shakeel Ahmed," she ded.

Police sources said that 19 people from Maharajganj were detained by Hardi police for questioning. After interrogation, six people were arrested.

With Sunday's arrests, a total of 121 people from both sides have been arrested so far, police said, ding situation in Maharajganj area and district is completely rmal. equate police force has been deployed in area as a precautionary measure, y ded.

Mishra, a resident of Rehua Mansoor vill, died after being shot during violence during Durga idol immersion procession in Maharajganj town on October 13. After this, communal violence spre in Mahsi, Maharajganj and Bahraich city on October 13 and 14.

People vandalized and set several houses, shops, and showrooms to fire while some hospitals were also attacked during violence. Police h registered a total of 15 cases regarding incidents related to violence. For scientific investigation and analysis of more than 1,000 video foot, a special team comprising IT experts was formed and a separate control room was established. 

According to police, control room is still working and investigations are going on. 

(Except for heline, this story has t been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)