Uttar Pradesh: Ahead of Dussehra, police tighten security in Bareilly, neighbouring districts

Security has been tightened across four districts in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly division – Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit and Budaun – ahead of the Hindu festival of Dussehra on Thursday, PTI reported.

This comes days after clashes broke out in the district on September 26, when a crowd carrying “I love Muhammad” posters clashed with police outside a mosque in the Kotwali area.

To prevent further violence, Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary ordered increased vigilance at Ramleela grounds, Durga Puja fairs and Raavan Dahan events, all of which attract large crowds during the festive season.

Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed in the region, and drones are being used for aerial surveillance, unidentified officials told PTI.

The unrest in Bareilly reportedly followed the last-minute cancellation of a protest called by local Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan in support of the campaign. He said authorities had denied him permission for the demonstration.

Police alleged that Raza delivered speeches that provoked the crowd. He was arrested on Saturday and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Eighty-one persons have been arrested in connection with the clashes since September 26, Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya said on Thursday.

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