A preliminary investigation into the communal tensions in Bahraich has hinted that it was both an intelligence failure and a pre-planned conspiracy as the causes behind it.
Violent clashes broke out in Bahraich Uttar Pradesh on October 13 resulting in the death of a 22-year-old man, Ram Gopal Mishra and several were injured in stone pelting and firing during a procession for Durga idol immersion.
The report submitted to the DGP headquarters noted the diligence by the local intelligence unit (LiU) and Mahsi circle officer Rupendra Kumar Gaur. The DGP headquarters have now suspended Gaur from his position. According to the Senior officials, the suspension is temporary as the investigation is underway.
The report said that the Local Intelligence Unit failed to evaluate this situation both on Sunday and Monday. The police circle officer was not aware of the incident from the beginning when the procession was taken out and about the classes that broke out by the time Rupendra reached, the situation was out of control.
A senior official pointed out that sticks, bricks, and stones were collected at the spot and the crowd started to mobilize within minutes. He stated that this looked like a prep conspiracy to disturb communal harmony in the district.
He said, “CCTV footage shows the same group of people near the immersion site who were indulging in Aircel and vandalism the very next day.”
“Many social media accounts are under scrutiny for spreading misleading claims which further escalated the situation,” he added.
Over 60 people have been arrested by the UP Police. Meanwhile, Internet services remain suspended with many educational institutions and businesses being affected. The district police have registered 12 FIRs including the FIR filed for Ram Gopal Mishra.
