Enhanced security measures in Meerut for Eid to prevent namaz on the streets, violators face passport cancellation
The Meerut police registered cases against 200 people for allegedly violating the order banning namaz on streets during Eid last year.
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The police said drone cameras will monitor activities at sensitive locations on Eid ul-Fitr, which is expected to take place on Sunday (March 30) or Monday (March 31), depending on the sighting of the moon. (Representational/ File Image)The Meerut police in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday submitted a list of eight people who allegedly violated last year’s orders prohibiting namaz (prayers) on the streets during Eid-ul-Fitr to the district magistrate and warned of strict action against violators ahead of the festival this year. They also outlined extensive security measures, including drone cameras and the deployment of numerous police and paramilitary forces, to ensure peace during Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan and is expected to take place on Sunday (March 30) or Monday (March 31), depending on the sighting of the moon.
The police had initiated arms licence and passport cancellation against the eight people whose names they submitted to District Magistrate Dr Vijay Kumar Singh. Meanwhile, the district administration has been holding regular peace committee meetings with Muslim religious leaders to convey the message that strict action would be enforced against offenders this year.
The police said drone cameras will monitor activities at sensitive locations on Eid ul-Fitr, which is expected to take place on Sunday (March 30) or Monday (March 31), depending on the sighting of the moon. Police and paramilitary forces, including the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), will be stationed at sensitive points, including the Idgah (an open-air enclosure reserved for Eid prayers) on the Delhi road. Officers in plain clothes and those from the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) will blend in with the crowd to detect any plans to violate the orders, said the police.
Kalanidhi Naithani, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Meerut Range, said offenders will face immediate punitive measures, including case registration and possible arrest. Superintendent of Police (SP) Ayush Vikram Singh said, “We will not allow prayers on the streets this year. Anyone who attempts to do so will be booked, potentially arrested, and will face the cancellation of their arms license and passport.”
Vipin Tada, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), has issued directives to the heads of all police stations in Meerut to ensure compliance with the orders. He emphasised that no religious activity would be permitted on public roads or spaces without official authorisation. The police station in-charges have been instructed to prevent any incidents of namaz being offered on the streets, with firm action to be taken against violators. The SSP stated that these measures have been implemented to clarify to everyone that all prayers should be conducted within designated religious places.
Despite similar directives issued last year, many people disregarded the orders and prayed outside the Idgah on the Delhi road. The police registered cases against around 200 people with a First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Railway Road police station. From this group, the police identified 60 people and served them notice for further action before finalising the list of eight against whom the process of passport and arms licence cancellation has been initiated.
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