For Holi, mosques covered in tarpaulin in Uttar Pradesh, security stepped up

Authorities in several districts of Uttar Pradesh have covered mosques with tarpaulin and stepped up security ahead of the Hindu festival of Holi, which coincides this year with congregational Friday prayers during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, reported The Indian Express.

Prominent Muslim clerics in the state have also revised Friday prayer timings, which will be held after 2 pm on Friday.

Director General of Police Prashant Kumar issued a 20-point directive to district police chiefs, commissionerates and range heads, instructing them to fortify sensitive zones with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces.

Kumar also held meetings with top officers and visited sensitive districts. In “hyper-sensitive” Sambhal, where a court-ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid has drawn attention in recent months, mosques were covered with tarpaulin and additional forces deployed for round-the-clock monitoring, according to The Indian Express.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Sambhal's Jama Masjid being covered with Tarpaulin sheet ahead of Holi festival as per the decision of the local administration pic.twitter.com/cMIW0cV8mF— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2025

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Mosques covered ahead of 'Laat Saheb' Holi in Shahjahanpur ahead of the Holi festival on 14 March. (11.03)

'Laat Sahab' Holi procession, a unique 300-year-old tradition, is a procession of 'Laat Sahab' taken out on a bullock cart throughout the...

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