'Such criminals should be killed, but...,' says Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Bahraich violence

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday asserted that the criminals involved in the Bahraich violence "should be killed publicly," adding, "the fact that they are still alive is more than enough."

Earlier on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Police shot two suspects in the Bahraich violence case. The accused, identified as Sarfaraz and Talib, were allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal.




Speaking on the developments, Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar said, “When the police were taking the five arrested suspects for weapon recovery near the India-Nepal border, two tried to escape. Shots were fired, and both Mohammed Sarfaraz and Mohammed Talib were injured. The other three, Abdul Hameed, Fahim, and Abdul Afzal, were arrested. A total of five suspects were apprehended.”

Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla told news agency ANI, "Five people have been arrested. Two were injured in police firing. One of the injured is Md. Sarfaraz, the other is Md. Talib."

Giriraj slams SP & Congress
The political battle over the Bahraich violence escalated on Tuesday as Giriraj Singh blamed the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, holding them responsible for the incident. Giriraj claimed that if there was any conspiracy behind the Bahraich episode, it was orchestrated by the SP and Congress’ ‘tukde-tukde’ gang. He also remarked that "riots are in the DNA of the SP."

During a brief interaction with reporters at LBSI Airport, before heading to Bhadohi for a carpet expo inauguration, Giriraj said, "The SP, Congress, and their ‘tukde-tukde’ gang are responsible for the Bahraich violence."

Murder suspects apprehended by UP STF
According to a PTI report, five suspects involved in the Bahraich violence were arrested on Thursday following an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police, during which two suspects sustained gunshot wounds, a senior official said. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash confirmed the arrests, adding, "There was an exchange of fire, and two suspects were injured."

The violence erupted on Sunday in Maharajganj, Mahsi tehsil of Bahraich district, allegedly over loud music being played during a Durga Puja immersion procession near a place of worship. Ram Gopal Mishra, 22, a participant in the procession, died from gunshot wounds during the clash.

Following the incident, widespread vandalism and arson took place in the area, with mobs setting fire to several houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles.

According to an NBT report, Rukhsar, the daughter of Abdul Hameed, a local landlord, claimed that her father and two brothers, Sarfaraz and Faheem, were detained by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF), along with another unidentified youth. She also alleged that her husband and brother-in-law had been previously taken into custody, with no further updates from the police on their whereabouts.

“Yesterday at 4 o’clock, my father Abdul Hameed, my two brothers Sarfaraz and Faheem, and another youth were picked up by the UP STF. We have received no information about them from any police station,” NBT quoted Rukhsar as saying.

District returns to calm after unrest
After the riots on Sunday, the district witnessed significant unrest. However, peace was restored by Tuesday and Wednesday. Internet services, which were suspended due to the violence, were resumed in the Maharajganj area on Thursday.