Daughter appeals to PM and Yogi for father and relatives, fearing encounter killing
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The incident involving the 22-year-old man, Ram Gopal Mishra, who was seen in a video hoisting a saffron flag after taking down a green flag from a building and was later shot dead during an idol immersion, led to the arrest of the building owner and other relatives as accused in the killing.
Rukhsar, the daughter of Abdul Hameed, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the safety of her relatives, including her father, fearing they might be killed in an encounter, particularly in the wake of such alleged extrajudicial killings taking place in UP.
Rukhsar claimed that several of her relatives, including her father, were taken into custody by the Special Task Force (STF) on Wednesday afternoon. She expressed concern over their whereabouts, fearing they may have been killed in an encounter.
In a video posted online, Rukhsar alleged that her father, two brothers, and another youth were picked up by the STF. She added that her husband and brother-in-law had already been detained, and there has been no information about their status from any police station.
The lack of communication from authorities has heightened her fear that they might have been killed in a staged encounter. Rukhsar urged both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to ensure the safety of her family members.
Meanwhile, in Bahraich district, internet services were restored after four days of disruption, as authorities continued efforts to bring stability to the region. The area had been tense since communal violence erupted during a Durga Puja idol immersion procession on Sunday, which led to the death of a 22-year-old man, Ram Gopal Mishra.
The violence took place in Maharajganj under the Mahsi tehsil, reportedly sparked by the playing of loud music near a place of worship. Following the fatal shooting of Mishra, unrest spread across the area.
In the aftermath, mobs vandalised properties, setting fire to houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles. The police responded by filing multiple FIRs against both unidentified rioters and some named suspects. So far, one individual has been arrested, but many remain at large. The family of the deceased filed an FIR naming six individuals, while four others remain unidentified.
Local authorities have urged the public to maintain communal harmony, issuing warnings against the spread of false rumours. Some social media posts had falsely claimed that the victim was subjected to brutal violence, including electrocution and other forms of torture. However, the post-mortem report confirmed that the cause of death was gunshot wounds, with no additional fatalities reported from the incident.
In efforts to calm tensions, religious leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities have appealed for peace. Prominent figures from both sides, including Mahamandaleshwar Swami Ravi Giri Maharaj and Maulana Qari Zubair Ahmad Kasmi, urged residents to refrain from further violence and restore harmony in the district.