‘I Love Muhammad’ poster row: High alert in UP’s Bareilly, internet suspended for 48 hours
Bareilly DM Avneesh Singh appealed to residents not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain peace.
Bareilly DM Avneesh Singh appealed to residents not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain peace.
Bareilly DM Avneesh Singh appealed to residents not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain peace.
Bareilly: Security was stepped up across four districts of Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly division on Thursday in view of Dussehra and “I Love Muhammad” poster row, with personnel deployed on the streets and drones monitoring from above. The state government has also suspended internet services in Bareilly district for 48 hours, officials said. According to a Home Department notification, mobile internet, broadband, and SMS services in Bareilly will remain suspended from 3 pm on October 2 to 3 pm on October 4.
On September 26, clashes erupted in Bareilly’s Kotwali area when around 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque after Friday prayers. Stone-pelting was reported during the confrontation with police after a protest over the “I Love Muhammad” poster row, called by cleric Tauqeer Khan, was cancelled. So far, 81 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal said social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp could be misused to spread rumours and incite communal tension, prompting the suspension to maintain law and order. The directive, issued under Section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017, has been sent to the state DGP, Bareilly DM, SSP and telecom operators.
Bareilly DM Avneesh Singh appealed to residents not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain peace. Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary issued a high alert for Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit and Budaun districts.
Police, PAC and RAF personnel have been deployed at Ramleela grounds, Durga Puja fairs and Ravan Dahan events, which draw large crowds. “All officials must discharge their responsibilities seriously. Any lapse will invite stern action,” Chaudhary said.
Intelligence agencies have also been put on alert, with armed police posted at sensitive locations. “We are ensuring foolproof arrangements so that the disturbances witnessed in Bareilly do not spill over to neighbouring districts,” an official said.