Mosques covered, heavy security in UP ahead of Holi

Lucknow: Authorities across several districts in Uttar Pradesh have stepped up security arrangements ahead of Holi, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, with administrations covering mosques along procession routes and deploying heavy police forces to ensure the festival passes peacefully.

In districts such as Shahjahanpur, Sambhal, Bijnor and Dhampur town, mosques situated along traditional Holi procession routes have been covered with large tarpaulin sheets. Officials described the move as a precautionary measure to protect religious structures from colour and gulal and to prevent any untoward incident that could disturb communal harmony.

In Shahjahanpur, around 92 mosques and shrines falling along the route of the popular “Laat Saheb” or “Juta Maar” Holi procession have been covered. Police and administrative officials said the exercise began several days in advance. Apart from religious sites, electricity transformers along the route have also been covered and plastic sheets tied around poles as part of safety measures.

In Sambhal, nearly 10 mosques, including the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, have been fully covered with tarpaulins. Two separate Holi processions are scheduled to pass in front of the mosque. Officials said the decision was taken in view of an incident in the past when splashes of colour accidentally fell on a mosque, triggering tension in the area. Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said covering mosques during Holi has become a customary practice.