NSA slapped on 8 jailed accused in 2024 Bahraich violence case | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The district administration of Bahraich has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against eight people jailed in connection with the communal violence that broke out during the immersion of Durga idol on Oct 13 last year.Violence had escalated after Ram Gopal Mishra, a devotee participating in a procession being taken out for idol immersion, was shot dead after he allegedly climbed the terrace of a house that belonged to the members of the minority community and tried to replace a flag with a saffron one.The accused were arrested on charges of murder, rioting, and arson, and were sent to jail.According to police, NSA was invoked against Maroof Ali, Nankau, Mohammad Faheem, Mohammad Afzal alias Kallu, Mohammad Zeeshan alias Raja alias Sahir, Javed, Shoaib Khan, and Saif Ali.NSA was invoked on the recommendation of the report of Hardi police station in-charge, the circle officer of Mahsi, additional superintendent of police (rural), and the superintendent of police.“The decision has been taken to maintain law and order, public peace, and security. Anyone attempting to disturb communal harmony or disrupt public safety in future would face similar action,” district magistrate Akshay Tripathi said.“The imposition of NSA ensures that the accused can be kept in preventive detention for extended periods, reflecting the administration’s zero-tolerance towards communal violence,” a senior police officer said.Earlier in March 2025, five others (Abdul Hamid, Talib, Sarfaraz, Shakeel, and Khurshid) were also booked under the NSA after being accused in the case.A day after the killing of Mishra, people who had gathered for last rites went berserk and torched several vehicles and an automobile showroom and vandalised a hospital.Internet services were suspended in the district, and the situation was brought under control after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dispatched ADG (law and order) Amitabh Yash and then home secretary Sanjeev Gupta to the spot to control the situation.Then police station in-charge of Hardi, SK Verma, and sub-inspector Shiv Kumar, who was in-charge of Maharajganj police outpost, were suspended for dereliction of duty.Sources in the police department said that then ASP Pavitra Mohan Tripathi, a PPS officer of the 2000 batch, was suspended for failing to control the situation despite having a section of PAC and other forces at his disposal. Later, circle officer, Mahsi, Rupendra Gaur was also suspended following reports of intelligence failure came to fore.Investigation revealed that sticks, ‘trishuls’ (tridents), bricks, and stones were collected at the spot, and the crowd was mobilised within minutes, which hinted that there was a planned conspiracy to disturb peace in the district. CCTV footage also showed the same group of people near the immersion site indulging in arson and vandalism the next day.
