Security measures have been tightened across the country ahead of Eid al-Adha or Bakrid, with authorities intensifying surveillance and deploying additional forces in sensitive areas to maintain law and order during the Eid.
Sporadic incidents of disputes over religious practices and public gatherings have increased the vigilance of police and administrative authorities across the country.
Tight security measures in New Delhi
Delhi Police on Thursday deployed additional personnel, anti-riot vehicles and rapid response teams in sensitive pockets to maintain law and order during Eid al-Fitr, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.
Comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place since early morning at major mosques, idgahs and other sensitive locations across the city, especially in North East and North Delhi areas, police said.
About 1,100 police personnel, along with 23 additional companies, have been deployed in the North-East region on the occasion of the festival, said Rahul Alwal, DCP (North-East), according to PTI.
Heavy deployment around Malihabad Fort in Lucknow
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, police tightened security around Malihabad Fort in Malihabad district ahead of Bakrid. Officials said additional police personnel and regional armed police units have been deployed as a precautionary measure, PTI reported.
Some locals, especially members of the Bassi community, claim that the site is associated with the Maharaja of Kansa Bassi and should be treated as a temple complex and not a shrine or mosque. According to residents, tensions continued for about a year and a half and escalated after strangers began praying there.
“People should offer prayers in mosques near their homes. Locals, especially members of the Bassi community, object to outsiders coming here to pray,” a local resident told PTI.
Extensive security arrangements are in place across districts in UP
Authorities across Uttar Pradesh have implemented extensive arrangements, including drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, road marches, traffic diversion and deployment of additional police personnel, officials said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier said that prayers will not be allowed on roads and if necessary, prayers can be performed alternately.
In Lucknow, 1,347 police and traffic personnel, along with six companies of Provincial Armed Police (PAC), radio units and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) teams, were deployed at sensitive locations to ensure smooth conduct of prayers and crowd management.
Edgah Aishbagh and its surrounding areas were divided into four zones and five sectors for security management. Similar arrangements have been made at major prayer places such as Teli Wali Mosque, Idgah Aishbagh and Asifi Mosque in Bara Imambara, along with traffic diversions to regulate movement, news agency PTI reported.
Mock drills and joint briefings have been conducted to prepare for crowd control, while surveillance cameras are being used to monitor major roads and religious sites around the clock, police said. Additional plainclothes women police personnel, anti-Romeo squads and pink patrol teams have also been deployed in crowded areas to ensure the safety of women, PTI reported.
In Sambhal, the district has been divided into five zones and 16 sectors, with drone surveillance teams deployed and social media monitoring.
Restrictions on road prayer in Varanasi
In Varanasi, authorities urged people to perform prayers only in designated places and avoid praying on the roads, while placing drone cameras to monitor the city.
Officials also said that the sacrifice should be performed inside homes or closed places, and prayers can be held in two shifts if necessary to manage crowds.
Animal slaughter permit in Goregaon has been cancelled
In Mumbai’s Goregaon area, police canceled the permit for slaughtering sacrificial animals in the second phase of satellite parks in Gokuldham.
Senior Police Inspector Mahendra Shinde of Dindoshi Police Station said the decision was taken in the wake of tensions between communities over the practice inside the building, ANI reported.
Authorities said the goats will be removed from the community.
Preparations are underway in Kolkata
In Kolkata, West Bengal, preparations were underway at the Brigade Parade Grounds, where the main Eid al-Azha gathering will now be held instead of the traditional venue on Red Road.
Workers began setting up stages and speakers after organizers obtained necessary permissions for the event.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
