Religious festivals should be held at fixed places: UP govt

In view of coming religious festivals, Principal Secretary Home Sanjay Prasad has issued directives saying religious programmes should be held at fixed places and no new tradition should start. He also asked the police officials to strictly deal with those who will try to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere.

The directives were issued when Prasad, along with Director General of Police RK Vishwakarma and Special DG Law and Order Prashant Kumar, held a review meeting with all ADGs (Zone), divisional commissioners, district magistrates, police commissioners, IGs, DIGs, and district police heads.

In the meeting held through video conferencing, Prasad said that in recent years, festivals of all religions have been celebrated in the state amid an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This has given a good message to the whole country.

“The safety of every citizen in the state is the primary responsibility of all of us. We always have to be careful about this responsibility. The month of Ramzan is going on. Eid-ul-Fitr, Akshaya Tritiya and Parshuram Jayanti are likely to be celebrated on the same day on April 22. In view of the present environment, the police will have to be extra careful,” said Prasad.

He instructed officers to make all necessary efforts, keeping in view the local needs, for every festival to be celebrated in peace and harmony.

Principal Secretary Home instructed that all the officers posted in the field ensure that religious programmes take place at the designated place only. He instructed that no procession should be taken out without due permission.

In the review meeting, Director General of Police RK Vishwakarma took the details of the preparations made for the upcoming festivals from all the officers.