Following an alert by Intelligence Bureau of possible terror strike during festival season commencing with Navratra on Saturday, and also in wake of recent communal violence in Western Uttar Pradesh, state government sounded a high alert on Friday.
Top officials have been briefed to maintain law and order so that peace could be maintained during celebration of Navratra, Dushera as well as Bakra-Eid. Special security has been made at Mathura, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Allahabad and other sensitive places. Commandos of the Anti-Terrorists Squad as well as that Special Task Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary have also been rushed to Communal sensitive places as well as Taj Nagari Agra to avert any untoward incident.
Inspector General of Police (law and Order)R K Vishwakarma revealed here on Friday evening that there would be no letup in the security during the festivals of Navratra, Durga Puja and Bakra-Eid. ‘’The state has already 78 companies of Central forces which came to control the Muzaffarnagar riots and it will be used during the festivals,’’ he said. The IG said in Eastern UP an additional 41 companies of PAC has been deployed and the leave of the policemen have been suspended in view of ensuing festivals. ‘’All the districts have been asked not to allow any religious procession through new routes,’’ he said.
Bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage teams would be kept ready to face any situation while necessary instructions would be issued to zonal, range and district-level officers through video-conferencing, the IG said. Meanwhile, a report from Mirzapur said commandos have been deployed at the the world famous Vindyavasini temple during the Navratras. Authorities have put a total ban on touching the deity and breaking coconut inside the temple while the employees of the temple have been given uniform. Superintendent of Police Mirzapur Suresh Chandra Pandey
said policemen in civil dress have been deployed to keep a close watch on the activities of the anti-social elements. About two million devotees are expected to visit Vindyavasini temple during the Navratras.