In the aftermath of the Bahraich violence case, Rukhsar, sister of the accused Mohammad Sarfaraz, has acknowledged that her brother fired a shot resulting in the death of Ramgopal Mishra. According to Rukhsar, a massive crowd was at their doorstep, prompting Sarfaraz to act in self-defense, inadvertently hitting Ramgopal. While taking a life cannot be justified, it was a tragic accident. Sarfaraz acted to protect himself, with no intent to kill.
On the evening of last Sunday,
Ramgopal Mishra
, a resident of Rehua Mansoor village in Bahraich's Hardi area, was part of a procession for the immersion of Durga idols. As the procession moved through a locality with a particular community, a disagreement arose between two groups, leading to stones being thrown from rooftops, causing chaos. Amid the commotion, Ramgopal was shot while on a rooftop, and he succumbed to his injuries. This rooftop belonged to Abdul Hamid, father of Sarfaraz and Rukhsar.
Read More- Five accused arrested in Bahraich violence; two shot during the encounter, were planning to flee to Nepal
Rukhsar, speaking to 'Aaj Tak', expressed sorrow over their family's alleged involvement but pointed out that a crowd had entered their home from all sides. Only the inner view is shown, not the outside. How could there be stone-pelting from within the house? Bricks and stones came from outside. During the chaos, there were women inside the house, and outsiders were attempting to break in.
The accused Sarfaraz's sister Rukhsar claimed that people in the crowd looted and set fire to her father's jewelry shop. Destruction and stone-pelting occurred. Thanks to the police, their father and brothers’ lives were saved. Once Ramgopal climbed onto the roof, the crowd surged onto it. Shops were torched, and vehicles were set alight. Bottles were thrown, which my brother and father returned at them. From the courtyard, my family pleaded for help, fearing for their lives, but these cries weren't shown. My brother then resorted to firing in the air to disperse the crowd.
Source: aajtak
Rukhsar states that the young man, Ramgopal, who had climbed, attempted to enter their courtyard, where women were present, prompting her brother to shoot in defense, which led to the fatality. Had this been planned, could their family have escaped after killing someone?
Read More- Bahraich: Sarfaraz's sister alleges arrest of her family including father and brother-in-law by STF, fearing encounters
Was killing the only solution?
To this, Rukhsar replied, suggesting that the deceased was hit by multiple bullets and an electric shock, arguing the narrative is flawed. When a crowd of 500 to 1000 attacks a home, the resident naturally acts to protect themselves. A neighboring lad, Saroj (a Hindu), assisted our family, yet was beaten by the crowd, leaving him with a split head. While one cannot justify taking a life, it was an inevitable incident. What was done was solely for self-defense. The police have now taken away my brother-in-law and husband, who had no involvement, as we reside 40-50 km away.
It is noteworthy that following the news of Ramgopal's death, unrest surged in the Mahrajganj town, leading furious protestors to vandalize and set fire to the accused's house and several vehicles, with the violence spilling into the following day. This necessitated the deployment of a significant police force in the district. Chief Minister Yogi took cognizance of the matter. Currently, the situation has stabilized, and over 50 accused have been apprehended.
