"Fake encounter...failure of govt": Congress slams UP government on Bahraich encounter

Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 17 : Calling the Bahraich encounter "fake," the Congress on Thursday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government, attributing the violence in Bahraich to the failure of both the state government and the administration.
Earlier today, the accused in the Bahraich incident, Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib, were shot in the leg by the Uttar Pradesh Police while allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal.
UP Congress President Ajay Rai stated, "The government has been conducting fake encounters for a long time. They are merely trying to cover up their failures."
Congress MP Imran Masood remarked that those responsible for burning an entire market and misbehaving with women should also be held accountable.
"The rioters who burned shops must also be punished. Rioters have no religion. Those who torched the market and misbehaved with women should face appropriate action," said Imran Masood.
Congress leader Avinash Pandey commented that encounters are becoming a daily occurrence in the state.
"What is happening in Bahraich is unfortunate, and it is the responsibility of the administration to restore normalcy," Pandey stated.
Congress leader Aradhana Misra-Mona argued that the Bahraich incident could have been prevented.
"It is a failure of the government and the administration that no measures were taken for such a significant event. This incident could have been avoided had the administration been vigilant," she said.
Samajwadi Party leader Ravidas Mehrotra also blamed the Uttar Pradesh government and administration for the violence in Bahraich.
"There was a complete failure of the police, the administration, and the government in the incidents of violence, arson, and looting in Bahraich. Arson continued for several hours. The police and administration were absent, and a riot erupted. The state government and the administration are entirely responsible for this incident," he said.
Amitabh Yash, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Special Task Force, Uttar Pradesh, said that five accused in the case have been arrested.
"A total of five people, who are the main accused, have been arrested. A brief exchange of fire occurred, injuring two individuals. The injured are Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib. No deaths have been reported, and the injured have been taken to hospital," Amitabh Yash said.
ADGP (Law and Order), STF Uttar Pradesh, confirmed that two individuals were injured in the encounter and are receiving treatment in hospital.
SP Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla, stated that "5 people have been arrested, and two of them were injured in police firing. I am here to assess their condition. One of the injured is Md. Sarfaraz, and the other is Md. Talib."
SP Bahraich explained that the police fired in self-defence, injuring the two.
"When the police team went to the Nanpara area to recover the murder weapon, Md. Sarfaraz alias Rinku and Md. Talib alias Sablu had the weapon in a loaded state, which they used to fire at the police. In self-defence, the police retaliated, injuring the two. They are undergoing treatment. We have also arrested the other three accused. All five have been officially arrested, and strict action will be taken against them. A search is underway for the remaining accused," she added.
Ramgopal Mishra was killed, and several others were injured, after clashes between two communities broke out during the Durga idol immersion procession in the Mahasi area of Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday.