High alert in state for upcoming festivals

LUCKNOW: The state government has sounded high alert for Dussehra and Eid-ul-Azha festivals in the state. Strict vigil will be maintained in 39 sensitive districts located in west and east UP.

LUCKNOW: The state government has sounded high alert for Dussehra and Eid-ul-Azha (Bakrid) festivals in the state. Strict vigil will be maintained in 39 sensitive districts located in west and east UP. The state gover nment has decided to deploy 139 companies PAC, 12 companies RAF and 700 under training sub inspectors in sensitive districts.

DGP AL Banerjee and ADG (Law and Order) Mukul Goel directed the district magistrates and superintendents of police to check any untoward incident during the festivals. Addressing the officers of the 75 districts through video-conferencing, the top cops said anti-social elements might try to spark communal tension and the officers should be ready to deal with any eventuality.

Banerjee and Goel have also shot off letter to the IGP (zone), DIG (range) and superintendents of police to prepare a work plan for maintaining law and order during the festivals.

IG (Law and Order) A Satish Ganesh said the police officers had been told to identify communal spots in respective districts and prepare a plan for security. The officers have been also directed to take preventive action under which they have to find out any anti-social activities and take required action.

The officers have been also directed to prepare a plan to deal with riots as well. Even after taking preventive measures if riots broke out then officer should be ready to check it and maintain law and order, Ganesh said.

To put pressure on the antisocial elements, the police had launched a statewide operation on September 27 under which the hotels, guest houses, railway station, bus station, eating joints, dhabas and vehicles were checked. The police took 407 persons into custody and registered 245 cases against those indulged in nefarious activities.