To maintain law and order in the state amidst upcoming festivals like Eid, Akshay Tritiya and Parshuram Jayanti, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, 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, SSPs/SPs, among others and issued directions regarding holding programmes in the state and  ordered that no religious event be held by obstructing roads and traffic.

In the meeting held through video-conferencing, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad said that in recent years festivals of all religions had been celebrated in the state in an atmosphere of peace and harmony and this had 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," Prasad said.

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

"Deal sternly with those issuing mischievous statements. Strict action should be taken against the chaotic elements who try to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state," he added.

The principal secretary (home) said all officers posted in the field should ensure that religious programmes, worshipping etc. take place at the designated place only. “Under no circumstances should any religious event be held by obstructing the road and traffic. In the past, we have been able to do this through communication. This year too we have to make the same effort,” he remarked.

He instructed that no procession/religious procession should be taken out without due permission. He said permission should be given only to those religious processions, which were traditional, and unnecessary permission should not be given to new events. The principal secretary (home) also told the officers to be vigilant about social media and ensure immediate response to any attempt aimed to spread fake news. He said a senior officer should refute rumours and fake news.

In the review meeting, DGP RK Vishwakarma took the details of the preparations made for the upcoming festivals from all the zone/range/district level officers. He said that to maintain social harmony during the festival, additional police forces should be deployed in sensitive areas. “There should be adequate arrangements for the security of religious places. Monitor the situation using drones,” he said.

The DGP said that the police force should continuously patrol congested areas and senior officers should also participate in the patrolling. “We should keep an eye on every suspicious activity. The usefulness of emergency services like 112 depends on its quick response,” he said.

Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said that the police should remain alert and careful for social peace and harmony. He said in the midst of festivals, some chaotic elements may try to disturb social harmony and such people should be dealt with strictly according to the policy of zero tolerance.

The traffic issues in cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Gorakhpur and Lucknow were also discussed in the meeting. The principal secretary (home) instructed all divisional commissioners/district magistrates/police to prepare an action plan for traffic management according to the local needs. “At the same time, in view of the hot summer season, efforts should be made to maintain a smooth power supply in all urban/rural areas," he said.

Referring to the tragic fire incident that took place in Kanpur in the past, he said that on receiving information about the fire, the fire brigade should immediately reach the spot. He said there should be no delay in repairing power transformers, dilapidated electric poles etc.

Along with this, instructions were given for better management of cleanliness to prevent diseases.