Muharram in UP: Over 900 people under preventive orders, in Sambhal alone, weapons ban

Authorities in Sambhal have placed over 900 persons under preventive restrictions ahead of Muharram to ‘maintain peace’ and ‘prevent any possible disturbances’, district magistrate Rajendra Pensiya told reporters on 27 June, Friday.

Responding to questions from mediapersons, Pensiya said, "So far, more than 900 people have been bound under preventive action and the verification of others is still underway. Anyone found attempting to create conflict or disrupt communal harmony will also be placed under similar restrictions. If they go on to cause trouble, their surety bonds will be forfeited."

He added that the amount of surety set varies depending on the person's past record and the potential threat they pose.

"It could be Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, Rs 3 lakh or even Rs 5 lakh, depending on the sub-divisional magistrate's (SDM) assessment of the individual's background and previous involvement in disputes. Some are new names, while others have past records," he said.

The DM also confirmed that Section 163 (power of certain magistrates to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the BNSS has been invoked as part of the preventive measures.

Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna on 26 June, Thursday, had already directed all police units in the state to deny permission for new Muharram processional routes or religious practices and to strictly enforce a ban on the display of weapons during processions.

The top police official also ordered preventive action against anti-social and communal elements and directed round-the-clock social media monitoring in the run-up to Muharram, which will be observed from 27 June to 6 July.

In a detailed directive issued to all zonal additional director generals of police, commissioners of police, range inspector generals and deputy inspector generals and district senior superintendents of police and superintendents of police, DGP Krishna laid out a comprehensive strategy to maintain law and order and communal harmony during the period, according to an official statement.

"All police stations have been instructed to review festival registers and ensure that no new tradition or route is allowed under any circumstances. In places where disputes have occurred in the past, police and revenue officials must jointly assess the situation and take early action to defuse tensions," it stated.

"Local officers have been told to personally visit sensitive locations and address concerns. Beat officers are required to identify potential flashpoints and relay information to senior officers, who must respond promptly on the ground," it added.

The DGP stressed that anjumans and committees organising processions or majlises must be registered and consulted in advance to ensure smooth coordination.

"Adequate police deployment has been mandated along all processional routes, with formations in the box pattern and supervision by gazetted officers," Krishna said.

Due to increased participation of women in Muharram gatherings, especially during pre-dawn hours, police have been asked to identify hotspots and ensure special deployment 'for their safety'.

Police forces will carry out regular morning patrols and checks to ensure no objectionable posters or materials are placed in public. CCTV and drone surveillance has been ordered for all major events; videography of gatherings is to be done to maintain transparency and accountability, the DGP said.

"In public spaces such as bus stands, railway stations, marketplaces and religious sites, security checks will be intensified. Bomb disposal squads, anti-terror units and sniffer dogs will be deployed as necessary," he directed.

He also stressed that traffic must not be disrupted under any circumstances and that 'suspicious' vehicles would be checked at police barriers.

"Authorities have been asked to enforce the Motor Vehicles Act strictly," he noted.

A categorical ban has been issued against any public display of weapons during religious processions. Police have been instructed to take immediate legal action against violators carrying illegal arms.

Crowd-control equipment is to be kept ready at all commissionerate and district offices, with reserve police personnel stationed at designated points with helmets, body protectors and other riot gear.

Local intelligence units have been asked to remain alert and keep a close watch on the activities of undesirable elements. Information gathered through intelligence sources must be acted upon quickly with preventive measures, he added.

"Police control rooms and sub-control rooms are to function efficiently with a robust mechanism for quick information sharing and action. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X and WhatsApp will be closely monitored, and any misleading or provocative posts must be taken down immediately, followed by legal action against the originators," DGP Krishna said.

He also emphasised that all arrangements must be timely, coordinated and monitored at the highest levels to ensure a peaceful observance of Muharram across Uttar Pradesh.

Combined PTI inputs