The Uttar Pradesh government has declared a state of alert after violence erupted in Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad on Friday.
An official spokesman said here on Saturday that vigil was intensified at all religious and sensitive places in view of Id-ul-Fitr. Security was tightened at railway and bus stations and other public places.
He said the government ordered that an adequate number of the Rapid Action Force, the Railway Protection Force and the Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel be deployed. The district police chiefs had been asked to alert peace committees and hold regular meetings with the people of all communities.
No arrest has been made in Lucknow, 24 hours after a mob indulged in violence and arson. An FIR against unnamed persons was lodged with the Hazratganj station on Friday. Now, steps are being taken to file an FIR at the Wazirganj station.
Director General of Police A.C. Sharma and Principal Secretary (Home) R.M. Srivastava have appealed to the people from the northeast not to be swayed by rumours. If they sensed trouble, they should contact the nearest police station.
Meanwhile, curfew was relaxed at Bareilly for seven hours, from 5 a.m. to noon, as no untoward incident occurred. Areas of six police stations have been under curfew for three weeks after communal violence broke out.
Curfew, imposed on the Kotwali area of Allahabad on Friday, was lifted.
