Man in India's UP shot dead amid communal faceoff over playing music during religious procession

New Delhi, India

A 22-year-old man in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was shot dead on Sunday (Oct 13) during a communal faceoff over playing music during a procession.

A report by the news agency PTI said that the incident happened in the Mansoor village in the state's Bahraich region. A procession was passing through the village's Mahrajganj Bazar carrying an idol of Goddess Durga for immersion.

The report said that the victim, who was walking with the procession, was shot dead.

Victim dies during treatment, many more injured

The 22-year-old man was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment, one of his family members told the news agency. The report also said that more than half a dozen people were injured due to stone pelting and firing. 

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Police were deployed in the Mansoor village.

Given the incident, similar processions were cancelled in Fakharpur town and some other places in the state.

Idol immersion must continue: UP CM

Despite the communal tensions, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the idol immersion (of Goddess Durga) must continue. "Communicate with religious organisations and get the idol immersion done on time," Chief Minister Yogi directed the Bahraich administration. 

He also directed police to deploy manpower at the sites of immersion.

(With inputs from agencies)