Section 144 Imposed, QRT Deployed As Security Tightened In UP After Mukhtar Ansari's Death

Police personnel in Lucknow have been instructed to keep a check on suspicious persons and vehicles in hot spots and areas with mixed population.

Police personnel deployed outside Mukhtar Ansari's residence after his death.

Source : PTI

After the gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on March 28 due to a heart attack, security across Uttar Pradesh was tightened in order to maintain law and order. Officials familiar with the matter told ABP News that the DGP headquarters issued instructions to all the district-level police personnel and commissioners to take necessary steps to maintain peace in Lucknow. A quick response team (QRT) and fire brigades have also been deployed at important places.

Earlier, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, were also imposed across Uttar Pradesh and additional security personnel have been deployed in the Mau, Banda, Ghazipur, and Varanasi districts.

Security Tightened Across Uttar Pradesh

DIG Varanasi Range has also been instructed to camp in Ghazipur with immediate effect, sources say. The local intelligence and social media cells have also been activated and police personnel have been instructed to implement zone and sector schemes in certain districts. Police personnel in Lucknow have been instructed to keep a check on suspicious persons and vehicles in hot spots and areas with mixed population.

Due to Ramzan, religious places will also undergo patrolling even during the night. Morning checking and poster party checking will also be performed by the police. In order to ensure peace, communication with religious gurus, managers of religious places, and peace committees in the district will also be done. 

Senior police officers have been instructed to patrol with the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and paramilitary. In addition to this, the CCTV cameras in the areas will also be activated, as instructed by the DGP headquarters.

Mukhtar Ansari's gang members and associates along with other anti-social elements will also be under strict surveillance.

Who Was Mukhtar Ansari?

The 63-year-old, five-time former MLA from UP's Mau Sadar seat had been in jail since 2005 in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. He was facing over 60 criminal cases and had been convicted in eight cases since September 2022 by several UP courts, after which he was lodged in Banda jail.

Earlier, Ansari had been hospitalised after he complained of abdominal pain. However, he was discharged the same day as his condition stabilised. Subsequently, he was admitted to Banda Medical College again after his health deteriorated again. 

After Ansari's death, his brother Afzal Ansari alleged that Mukhtar had been poisoned while in jail. As per sources, a panel of two doctors will conduct the postmortem which will be videographed. Mukhtar Ansari's body will then be handed over to his son Omar Ansari. 

(With inputs from Sanjay Tripathi)