Notices issued to over 3,000 people in UP

LUCKNOW/KANPUR/VARANASI/ BAREILLY:The Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday issued notices to over 3,000 people across the state cautioning them against participating or inciting others to participate in protests against the amended citizenship laws, a senior police official said.

The police action has come a day ahead of a protest called by different civil society groups.

In Lucknow, additional superintendent of police (West) Vikas Chandra Tripathi said over 150 notices were issued in the city.

In order to maintain the law and order, five additional SPs, 10 circle officers, 12 companies of PAC and 500 sub-inspectors have been deployed in Lucknow.

Inspector general of police (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar said, “We have not detained or arrested anyone. As far as the notices are concerned, this is a routine process. Notices are issued to people taking out protests despite prohibitory orders. They are apprised of imposition of Section 144 of CrPc and asked not to participate or incite others to participate in the protest.”

The police are also monitoring social media platforms to pull down posts regarding mobilisation for Thursday’s protest.

UP police’s social media monitoring cell on Wednesday arrested three people in Saharanpur, Moradabad and Amroha for inflammatory posts on social media, besides registering 11 FIRs across the state.

A senior police official said, “We are monitoring social media to check hate-mongering. Extreme posts are being pulled down and people are cautioned to refrain from inciting people. If there is a serious matter, cases are being filed.”

Internet services were on Wednesday suspended in Azamgarh after some ‘mischievous elements’ tried to spread rumour, police said.