Bahraich encounter: "No policeman opens fire to kill," says Union Minister Ravneet Bittu

He added that criminals should be dealt with strictly, as is being done under the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

His comments followed the incident in which the accused, Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib, were shot in the leg by the Uttar Pradesh Police while allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal.

"No police officer opens fire to kill. When someone fires while fleeing to Nepal, the police are compelled to stop them," Ravneet Bittu told ANI.

"Sometimes the bullet hits (the accused) and they succumb to their injuries; sometimes they survive. Criminals must be dealt with as strictly as Yogi Adityanath is doing. Only then can the rule of law be established," he added.

BJP leader Syed Zafar Islam defended the police action, saying, "The protocol was completely followed, and the shots were fired only to incapacitate the accused. This is a significant achievement for the UP Police and should be appreciated."

Uttar Pradesh's former Director General of Police (DGP), Vikram Singh, praised the police, stating, "The violence that occurred is unfortunate, but the UP Police took action against the main accused, Md. Sarfaraz, who is injured and receiving treatment. This is a major success for the UP Police."

Of the five people arrested in connection with the Bahraich violence, two were injured during the encounter, while the remaining three were taken into custody. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar confirmed that the situation is now under control.

"When the police were escorting the five arrested accused to recover weapons near the India-Nepal border, Sarfaraz and Talib attempted to escape. Shots were fired during their flight, resulting in their injuries. Abdul Hameed, Fahim, and Abdul Afzal were also arrested. All five accused are now in custody, and the situation is under control," DGP Kumar explained.

SP Bahraich, Vrinda Shukla, clarified that the police acted in self-defence, leading to the injuries.

"When the police team visited the Nanpara area to recover the murder weapon, Sarfaraz alias Rinku and Talib alias Sablu were armed with a loaded weapon, which they fired at the police. The police retaliated in self-defence, injuring the two. They are currently receiving treatment. The other three accused have also been arrested, and all five are now officially in custody. A search is ongoing for the remaining suspects," she said.

Ramgopal Mishra was killed, and several others were injured after clashes between two communities erupted during the Durga idol immersion procession in the Mahasi area of Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. (ANI)