Patna, June 30 (IANS) The Terahvi (thirteenth-day ritual) of Bharat Tiwari, who was killed in a police encounter in Bhojpur district on June 17, is being held on Tuesday amid elaborate arrangements and heightened security.

Organisers expect an exceptionally large turnout, with preparations to serve food to 20,000 to 25,000 people, while additional provisions have been kept ready for an additional 15,000 attendees if required.

The memorial feast began in the afternoon, with visitors continuing to arrive from across Bihar and other states.

To accommodate the anticipated crowd, organisers have erected two large tents in fields near the village. Seating arrangements have been made, and cots have been placed for visitors to rest.

A large tent has also been installed in front of Bharat Tiwari’s residence, equipped with coolers and fans to provide relief from the prevailing heat and humidity.

According to Bharat Tiwari’s father, Kashinath Tiwari, and his brother, Chandan Tiwari, people are expected to attend not only from different states but also from neighbouring Nepal. They said arrangements have been made for accommodation, meals, and other essential facilities to ensure that guests do not face inconvenience.

In addition to the memorial feast, organisers have arranged Akhand Puja and Prasad for approximately 15,000 devotees.

During the ceremony, members of Bharat Tiwari’s family once again questioned the progress of the investigation into the encounter. His brother, Chandan Tiwari, alleged that despite the registration of an FIR, no concrete action has been taken against those named in the case.

While expressing faith in the judiciary, he claimed that the investigation at the local level had not been impartial.

The family also referred to an earlier proposal to install a statue of Bharat Tiwari in the village and questioned why the initiative had not progressed. Bharat Tiwari’s mother, Asha Devi, alleged that the police personnel accused in the case had not yet faced action, despite the FIR being registered.

The case has continued to draw political attention. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Anand Mishra, after meeting the bereaved family, stated that the incident could have resulted from wrongful action rather than a genuine encounter.

He called for a judicial inquiry into the incident, strict action against anyone found guilty, and broader systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Separately, Bhojpur Police announced that they are initiating legal action against an individual from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, over social media posts related to the Bharat Tiwari encounter.

According to a press release issued by the Bhojpur Superintendent of Police’s office, the individual, identified as Deepak Dixit alias Pandit, allegedly posted inflammatory content, issued threats against police personnel, and made allegations regarding the encounter without verified evidence.

Police stated that his digital content is undergoing technical and legal examination and that an FIR has been registered. They also claimed that he has previous criminal cases registered against him in Madhya Pradesh involving serious offences. These are allegations made by the police and remain subject to legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, supporters of Bharat Tiwari have announced plans to intensify their campaign. As part of the agitation, they have proposed holding a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 17, seeking action against the police personnel named by the family and calling for an independent inquiry into the encounter.

–IANS

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