Bareilly SP South Anshika Verma leads a police flag march in the sensitive areas, in Bareilly, on Thursda. (Pic credit: PTI)

NEW DELHI: With drones in the air and armed police forces on the streets, security has been heightened in four districts of Uttar Pradesh‘s Bareilly division on the occasion of Dussehra. The state government has also ordered a 48-hour suspension of internet services in Bareilly district.

Internet, broadband and SMS services suspended

Following the September 26 unrest in the district, the home department issued a notification ordering suspension of mobile internet, broadband and SMS services from 3 pm on October 2 to 3 pm on October 4, according to news agency PTI.Home secretary Gaurav Dayal said that the notification has been issued to maintain peace and order and prevent people from spreading rumours and inciting communal tension through social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp, and messaging services. The directive issued under section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, has been sent to the state director general of police (DGP), district magistrate (DM) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Bareilly. It was also sent to all telecom operators, including BSNL, Jio, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, and internet service providers, according to news agency PTI.

Four districts on high alert

Meanwhile, Bareilly DM Avneesh Singh urged people not to pay attention to rumours and to maintain peace.Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun districts are on high alert, according to divisional commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary.

Any lapse will invite stern action

According to PTI, police, provincial armed constabulary (PAC) and rapid action force (RAF) personnel have been deployed on the streets. Officials have been asked to stay vigilant at Ramleela grounds, Durga Puja fairs and Ravan Dahan programmes. “All district magistrates, deputy collectors, police and administrative officials must discharge their responsibilities seriously. Any lapse will invite stern action,” Chaudhary said.

Intelligence agencies put on alert

“Armed police forces are being positioned at sensitive locations. We are ensuring foolproof arrangements so that the disturbances witnessed in Bareilly do not spill over to neighbouring districts,” an official told PTI. The heightened security in Bareilly follows a recent confrontation between police and about 2,000 people who had gathered outside a mosque in the Kotwali area after Friday prayers. The stone pelting and unrest were triggered by the cancellation of a protest over the “I Love Muhammad” poster row called by cleric Tauqeer Khan.81 people have been arrested so far in connection with the September 26 violence.