Bahraich murder: All suspects will be booked under NSA, say police

Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla announced that all suspects in the murder of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra would be booked under National Security Act ( NSA ), which makes bail difficult.

"On Thursday, Talim and Sarfaraz were taken to recover the murder weapon they had hidden near Nepal border in Nanpara area. The 12-bore single-barrel gun used in the murder was found loaded, along with another illegal weapon concealed there," the SP said, citing preliminary inquiries that Sarfaraz had shot Mishra with a "single-barrel gun".

According to the SP, the alleged encounter occurred during the searches for the murder weapon. Shukla claimed that two of the suspects, Talim and Sarfaraz, in a "pre-planned conspiracy" opened fire at the cops, who shot back in "self-defence". "Both injured suspects have been provided medical treatment," the SP said.

Meanwhile, Bahraich appeared to limp back to normality. Internet services were restored from midnight Wednesday. On Thursday, some shops reopened. Security forces watched these zones, with some conducting flag marches. Schools and colleges reopened. In Maharajganj, where the unrest began, all markets within a 2km radius of the flashpoint were shut. Authorities urged shopkeepers to reopen but fear ran high.

So far, 12 FIRs have been registered on Sunday and Monday, and 60 suspects have been arrested. The police are also identifying an additional 1,000 unknown individuals through video footage.