No religious event allowed on roads: UP govt directs ahead of festivals

In view of upcoming festivals like Eid and Akshay Tritiya, the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday issued directions regarding holding programmes in the state and ordered that no religious event be held by obstructing roads and traffic.

Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, Director General of Police (DGP) R K Vishwakarma and other senior officials held a review meeting with all field officials posted in the state through video conferencing and issued necessary guidelines, an official release said.

There should be adequate arrangements for the security of religious places and additional police forces should be deployed in sensitive areas, DGP Vishwakarma said.

Prasad directed all the concerned officers posted in the field to ensure that religious programmes, worshipping, etc. take place at the designated places only. Under no circumstances should any religious event be held by obstructing roads and traffic, the release said.

"In the past, we have been able to do this through