Bahraich violence accused shot in UP Police encounter, were trying to…

Two brothers, Sarfaraz and Faheem, who are accused of fatally shooting 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra during communal violence in  Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, were trying to cross the border into Nepal, police said.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday shot two of the accused in the Bahraich violence in an encounter while the duo were trying to flee to Nepal. According to officials, the accused, Sarfaraz alias Rinku and Faheem, who are the sons of the main accused, Abdul Hameed, sustained bullet injuries during the encounter which broke out at the Handa Basehri Canal near the India-Nepal border.

The brothers, who are accused of fatally shooting 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra during communal violence in  Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, were trying to cross the border into Nepal, police said, adding that both accused were shot in the leg.

Reports citing sources said the the accused also opened fire on the cops during the encounter but were outgunned. Five people have been arrested in connection withe the October 14 Bahraich communal riots.

A senior police official said five suspects were arrested after an encounter with the UP Police in which which two of them suffered gunshot injuries.

The accused were allegedly trying to flee to Nepal, which shares a border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, the officer said, according to news agency PTI.

“Five accused have been arrested,” said Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash. On the encounter, he said, “I have information of exchange of fire and gunshot injuries.”

Yash said the Bahraich police, investigating the murder and subsequent violence, has already established the link of one of the accused in Nepal.

Communal violence broke out at Maharajganj in the Mahsi tehsil of Bahraich district on Sunday allegedly over loud music being played outside a place of worship during a Durga Puja immersion procession.

A 22-year-old man, Ram Gopal Mishra, part of the procession, died of gunshot wounds in the ensuing violence.

The incident triggered vandalism and arson in the area with angry mobs torching several houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals and vehicles.

(With PTI inputs)