UP gets Delhi jitters, leaves of cops cancelled

AGRA: Leaves of all policemen were cancelled and flag march was carried out in several sensitive cities of Uttar Pradesh as the state government tried to pre-empt any attempt to disturb peace after parts of neighbouring Delhi erupted in violence leaving at least 13 dead.
Aligarh, which witnessed clashes on Sunday leaving at least 10 injured, was virtually turned into a fortress with the deployment of 13 companies of RAF and PAC. In Meerut zone’s Hapur district, the administration invoked section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), barring assembly of five or more persons.
In Bareilly, additional director general of police (ADG) Avinash Chandra went a step further and warned of use of force against unauthorised protests. “I will not let the mistake of Delhi be repeated in the UP,” the police officer warned.
Sachindra Patel, superintendent of police (SP) of Firozabad, conducted a flag march with heavy police force in sensitive parts of the district.
“After violence in the national capital, we are on high alert. The district is divided into several zones and sectors. We are carrying out flag march in sensitive parts to send a message to locals that, at no cost, peace will be allowed to be compromised. Police presence is clear warning to anti-social elements,” SP Patel said.
Police are also keeping a close eye on social media platforms. Cyber cells of every district are scanning social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp groups.
“Any post which can trigger violence will be removed immediately and action will be taken against person sharing provocative content,” added SP Firozabad.
In December last year, at least seven residents of Firozabad were killed in violence which occurred during anti-CAA protest. Most of the victims died of bullet wounds. Police maintained that not a single bullet was fired by them.
Like Firozabad, flag marches by the security personnel were carried out in Bulandshahr, Sambhal and Baghpat also.
IG of Agra range, Satish Ganesh, who was on leave after overseeing security during US President Donal Trump’s visit to city, was asked to join immediately. ADG of Agra zone, Ajay Anand said, “DGP has asked everyone to remain alert at highest level.”
ADG of Bareilly zone, Chandra held a meeting with senior policemen. During the meeting, he said, “Any protest without permission will be dealt with immediate baton-charge. Rubber bullets and tear gas could be used if required.”
The ADG further said that he won’t let “mistake like Delhi to be repeated in the state and anybody trying to stage protest inside a police station will straightaway be charged by police.”
Chandra told TOI, “I would like send a message to the protesters. Irrespective of their religion, there will be zero tolerance for unapproved protests and especially people entering the police station for staging protest like Delhi. Police will welcome them with batons.”
After intelligence inputs from security agencies, home department has instructed ADGP-rank officials to stay in sensitive area like Rampur, Moradabad, Bijnor and Sambhal and keep a close eye on law and order situation. According to sources, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath is monitoring the situation and is in continuous contact with the ADGP-ranked officials across the state.