Lucknow: Reviewing the state’s law and order situation on Friday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed that meat and liquor shops should not be allowed to operate along procession and idol immersion routes during the upcoming festive season.Calling for heightened vigilance from Shardiya Navratri to Chhath Puja, Yogi said maintaining peace during festivals was a collective responsibility of the administration and police.During a video conference with senior administrative and police officials, Yogi directed authorities to hold peace committee meetings and also stressed the need for continuous dialogue with religious leaders, festival organising committees and locals.“Police patrolling must be intensified in sensitive areas. Durga Puja pandals should have adequate security arrangements and DJs should be used only in accordance with prescribed norms. The height of idols should conform to safety standards. Adequate security arrangements should be made at Ravan effigy-burning sites on Vijayadashami, and strict action should be taken against anti-social elements attempting to disturb peace,” he said.Focusing on women’s safety, he directed that Mission Shakti Centres be operated effectively and that complaints lodged by women be addressed promptly.To manage festival-related traffic, Yogi instructed officials to remain on the ground and ensure that traffic jams do not occur. He also called for an active police presence in sensitive and crowded areas.The CM directed authorities to make special arrangements at major religious sites during Shardiya Navratri, beginning Oct 11. Additional personnel should be deployed at prominent Devi temples, he said.Yogi also ordered officials to repair dangling and loose electric wires along procession and immersion routes and inspect electrical infrastructure. Adequate lighting, cleanliness and removal of encroachments on these routes should be ensured, he said.The urban development and housing department was told to undertake special cleanliness and beautification drives in cities. At idol immersion sites, proper barricading, warning signage, boats, trained divers and water police personnel should be deployed.Medical camps, ambulances, firefighting vehicles and medical teams should be stationed along procession and immersion routes. Lost-and-found centres, help desks and public address systems should be set up at fairs and immersion sites. Major venues will be monitored through CCTV cameras and drones.Reviewing revenue-related matters, the CM said officials must be sensitive to public grievances. Reiterating govt’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, he directed that revenue-related issues be resolved within stipulated timelines.He also instructed officials to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers and curb black marketing. Compensation for people affected by recent floods and heavy rainfall should be disbursed at the earliest, he added.
