UP on High Alert: Yogi Government Tightens Law and Order Across 75 Districts Amid Friday Prayers

 Uttar Pradesh remained on high alert across all 75 districts this Friday, with strict security and surveillance measures in place. Police conducted flag marches in several sensitive areas to ensure peace during Friday prayers.

In Muzaffarnagar, police patrolled the streets and monitored critical zones closely. Similarly, in Auraiya, heavy police deployment was seen around sensitive localities to prevent any disturbance. In Amroha, elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure that the Friday prayers concluded peacefully. From the early morning hours, station officers were patrolling their respective regions, and prayers were offered at mosques around noon.

In Varanasi, police remained on alert, and ATS commandos carried out mock drills at major transit points like Cantt Railway Station and the bus terminal. The DCP personally inspected security arrangements across sensitive areas. Kanpur also remained under heightened vigilance with police flag marches in vulnerable zones.

In Firozabad, additional forces were deployed on the streets before the prayers, and drone cameras were used to monitor suspicious activity. The police maintained a strong presence near mosques and crowded areas across the state to ensure complete control over law and order.

Authorities have arrested 83 individuals linked to recent unrest. Among them is Munir Idrisi, the media in-charge of Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s party, who allegedly played a major role in circulating an inflammatory video last Friday. Another person, Faizan Saklaini from Azam Nagar, has been arrested for his involvement in stone-pelting and firing incidents.

In Bareilly, police remain active as action continues against those involved in violence. A close aide of Maulana Tauqeer, identified as Farhad, may soon face bulldozer action on his residence. Officials claim that the three-storey building was constructed illegally on 120 square meters of land without permission. Despite being given a notice to vacate by October 3, the property remained occupied. Authorities are now preparing to seal and demolish it.

Amid the situation, Muslim clerics appealed for peace, advising people not to join protests or fall for misinformation. They emphasized that law and order must prevail and that no community should feel targeted. Some also reminded the government of its constitutional duty to ensure justice for all and prevent discrimination under the guise of law enforcement.

Sambhal, another sensitive district, witnessed Friday prayers under peaceful conditions, even as mosque authorities voluntarily demolished an illegal section of their building. Officials stated that part of the mosque was built on village community land, prompting legal action. A petition was filed in the Allahabad High Court challenging the demolition, but the court refused interim relief. The mosque committee, however, began removing the disputed portion themselves before the given deadline.

Following the unrest, some individuals posted provocative videos online, attempting to incite communal tension. In one such video, a man from Muzaffarnagar made violent remarks under the guise of religious devotion. Authorities are tracking these individuals and warning that such acts will face strict punishment.

The situation has sparked political reactions. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the government for taking offense to “I love Muhammad” slogans, questioning why similar expressions of devotion to Hindu deities or leaders are not treated the same way. Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya defended the administration’s actions, stating that only illegal constructions are being targeted. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad alleged that he was prevented from visiting Bareilly, calling it an attack on democracy, while Congress leader Digvijay Singh questioned why expressing love for religious figures should invite legal action.

Meanwhile, several Islamic scholars urged people not to mix religion with politics, advising imams and citizens to maintain peace and avoid unauthorized demonstrations.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s strict law-and-order approach continues to be both praised and debated. His zero-tolerance policy on crime and communal violence has led to daily police operations and the use of CCTV and digital tools to identify offenders. The administration’s use of bulldozers against those accused of rioting has become symbolic of swift justice in Uttar Pradesh.

Many residents across the state expressed satisfaction with the improved safety of women and the visible police presence. Citizens say they feel more secure now than before, though some believe innocent people occasionally get caught in the process. Overall, the public sentiment leans toward support for the government’s strong-handed measures against miscreants.