The Union government has asked states and union territories to be alert over any possibility of violence in the country in the wake of US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliation, people familiar with the matter said on Monday.
The officials said the Union Home Ministry had asked them to monitor protests and groups or individuals who could foment unrest. The ministry specifically advised state governments to monitor and identify pro-Iranian extremist preachers who deliver inflammatory sermons that could incite sectarian tensions. The government stressed the importance of intelligence sharing and preventive measures to maintain law and order, an official said.
Shiite groups held protests on Sunday in Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Delhi, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
A second official said states and union territories have been asked to monitor the social media activities of suspected extremists as well as global terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State and monitor pro-Iranian student organisations.
Potential targets in India could be US and Israeli embassies and consulates, as well as tourists from these countries, Chabad houses, Jewish community centers, etc., officials said.
“Police in states/union territories have been told to take adequate security measures at these locations and not allow protesters to gather in large numbers. Anti-national elements who may try to take advantage of the situation must be kept in check,” the second official said.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli air strikes on Saturday. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US military facilities in the Gulf.
