Prophet Remarks Row: Security Beefed Up In Violence-Hit States Ahead Of Friday Prayers

Along with the police and PAC, Rapid Action Force personnel are continuously conducting flag marches in violence-prone and sensitive areas.

New Delhi: States have beefed up security to avoid repeat of violence that erupted in Prayagraj, Ranchi, Saharanpur and many cities of West Bengal after Friday’s prayer on June 10. Protesters raised slogans and pelted stones to voice their anger over objectionable remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad. The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 337 persons from eight districts throughout the state, including Prayagraj and Saharanpur, news agency ANI reported.

Uttar Pradesh

Security arrangements have been tightened in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Friday prayers to maintain peace and order. Senior officials have been deployed at all sensitive places to prevent incidences of violence. State ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said, "Extensive security arrangements have been made in the state ahead of Friday prayers. Meetings are being held with religious leaders, civil society and peace committee members in different districts. In these meetings, the concerned police station in-charge, police outpost in-charge as well as senior regional and regional police officers are also participating.”

He added that the help of 'Digital Volunteers' of Civil Defence and State Police is also being taken to maintain peace and order. Official sources of the home department said on Thursday that additional chief secretary of home department Avnish Kumar Awasthi and Director General of Police DS Chauhan jointly reviewed the security arrangements in all the divisions, zones, ranges and districts of the state through video conference.

According to the sources, the officials have been clearly warned that in case of any laxity, strict action will be taken against the officials concerned. He said, “Instructions have been given to maintain strict vigil across the state and deal strictly with any untoward situation. Instructions have also been given for foot patrolling by police and flag marches by paramilitary forces in all districts. Senior officers have been deployed at all sensitive places so that no disturbances can happen.” According to sources, in the video conference, the district officials told that the administrative and police officials have communicated with all the prominent religious leaders across the state and sought cooperation in maintaining peace.

The meetings of the peace committee have also been organized at the police station level and the civil defense personnel have also been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining peace and order. Police Sector Scheme has also been implemented and all sensitive places will be monitored as per requirement with CCTV, video cameras and drones.

Violent incidents were reported in Prayagraj, Saharanpur, Aligarh, Hathras, Firozabad and some other districts of UP on June 10. More than 400 people have been arrested in this violence.

Along with the police and PAC, Rapid Action Force personnel are continuously conducting flag marches in violence-prone and sensitive areas. The authorties have appealing masses to maintain peace and order. However, at the same it has also given an ultimatum that if anyone tries to take the law into his own hands, the person will not be spared and strict action will be initiated. Violence-prone Atala area is also being monitored through drone cameras.

Drone cameras are constantly flying. One street and one roof each are being monitored.

Ranchi

The administration in Ranchi is also on alert. Ranchi DC Chhavi Ranjan said there will be no picketing and procession. He assured that the administration is ready and no one has to be afraid. There is an appeal to the people to maintain peace. He added a large number of police forces are being deployed at various places and adequate number of police forces will be deployed outside temples, mosques and churches. “We have talked to the enlightened people of all these places. Everyone assured full cooperation. I have also spoken to the members of the peace committee. Sensitive places have been marked. CCTV has been installed. There are many such small streets where drones will be monitored. Barricading is being done outside the temple, mosque and church.”

 All CCTVs will be monitored from the control room. Magistrates and a large number of police forces will be deployed at sensitive places. Section 144 is also applicable in six police station areas. The police administration is trying not to incite violence like last time. Last Friday, after Friday prayers, members of the Muslim community were protesting against Nupur Sharma's remarks on the main road. The demonstration had turned into violence.

A large number of policemen, RAF, other force personnel are deployed at different places. Visitors are being verified, the security of the temples has been increased. Many roads are also sealed. CCTVs have been installed everywhere. On June 10, during the violence in the main road, there was stone pelting on the Hanuman temple. A large number of police forces are deployed in the Hanuman temple.

Maulana Daryabadi, General Secretary of All India Ulema Council has appealed to the people of Muslim society not to initiate any kind of agitation on June 17. Daryabadi said some people are spoiling the atmosphere in this country and there is resentment among the people against them and a case has been registered in many places in Mumbai and legal action will also be taken regarding this.