Against the backdrop of the communal tension over the 'I Love Muhammed' and ‘I love Mahadev’ posters in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a multi-layered crackdown to maintain law and order while prioritising public safety, crime prevention, and women’s protection during the ongoing festive season.
While Bareilly witnessed violence sparked by escalating communal and caste-related tensions, rampant misinformation has made the situation tense in other districts such as Kanpur, Jaunpur, and Agra. The CM has labelled these as deliberate attempts to spoil the atmosphere in the state.
The government's response has been rapid deployment of additional police forces, setting up control rooms for round-the-clock monitoring, and imposing curfews in sensitive areas to contain unrest. Social media monitoring and review of CCTV footage to identify miscreants have been intensified. Restrictions on public gatherings and swift arrests of suspected instigators have also been made.
Sensing the potential for widespread disorder, on Friday night, Adityanath chaired a high-level law and order meeting.
Officials have been specifically directed to act against anyone provoking tensions or spreading rumours under the guise of religious or caste identity. The CM’s instructions include immediate registration of FIRs in all related cases and fast-track investigations to arrest those responsible for hate speech or incitement.
The administration has emphasised impartiality, warning against any form of discrimination in police action. No one, regardless of caste or community, is to be spared if attempts are made to disrupt peace. All who attempt to create ill will in the name of caste will also face strict action.
To further strengthen these efforts, authorities are actively engaging local civil society groups and peace committees to mediate on-the-ground disputes and promote transparent communication, especially in communities most affected by unrest.
The state’s law and order strategy includes:
Continuous coordination: District magistrates, senior police officers, and administrative departments must work together, tracking both repeat offenders and minor incidents through regular meetings and effective information relay.
Women’s safety: Crimes against women are given special attention; all complaints are to be met with swift, visible, and strong action. Not just police stations, the role of Police Control Room vans will also be questioned in cases of such crimes.
Rapid response: FIRs in cases of communal or sensitive disturbances must be registered without delay, and police are instructed to act immediately against instigators or those spreading false information.
Festival risks: Anticipating an uptick in tensions during festivals, the government has called for increased police deployment and heightened vigilance at public gatherings and religious events. Those who attempt to get into religious gatherings such as 'garba' and 'dandiya' under the guise are to be dealt with strictly.
Infrastructure readiness: Disaster-prone districts are receiving further support, with improved infrastructure and closer coordination with disaster committees to protect vulnerable areas.
Senior officials are under strict orders to avoid negligent or biased conduct.
The CM has actively demanded direct updates from district and police leaders, ensuring oversight from his official residence. Punitive action for spreading unverified news has been warned, with the administration seeking to build a climate of trust through transparent communication with citizens, public representatives, and local peace committees. He has also cautioned officers at all levels against waiting to take action.
Expressing his unhappiness over incidents of recee by drones and subsequent robbery, he has asked that this too be on the radar.