**Lucknow: Friday Prayers Across Uttar Pradesh Pass Off Peacefully Amid Tight Security**
Amid heightened security and an atmosphere of caution, Friday prayers across Uttar Pradesh passed off without incident. The state has been on high alert following last week’s violence in Bareilly, prompting authorities to turn sensitive districts into security fortresses and maintain round-the-clock surveillance.
In Bareilly alone, nearly 10,000 security personnel were deployed, with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and District Magistrate (DM) personally patrolling the streets. Internet services, which were suspended for a second time on Thursday, will remain shut until Saturday to curb rumor-mongering.
Drones scanned rooftops while police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Response Force (RRF) units carried out flag marches through sensitive neighborhoods. Security drills were also held in other major cities to ensure readiness.
In Varanasi, ATS commandos conducted mock exercises at the Cantt railway station and bus stand. Similar drills took place in Kanpur and Prayagraj, demonstrating a coordinated approach to maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, in Gonda, the Inspector General (IG) of the Range inspected arrangements on the ground, while a heavy security deployment was visible outside the Jama Masjid in Sambhal. Notably, in Raya Buzurg village of Sambhal, locals resumed demolition of a mosque built on government land immediately after offering prayers.
Across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh, police forces remained on high alert, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring peace.
Authorities had braced for trouble earlier after the All India Muslim Personal Law Board announced a Bharat Bandh on October 3. However, the call was later withdrawn in view of the upcoming festivals, easing tensions.
These heightened precautions stem from last Friday’s clashes in Bareilly over the “I Love Mohammad” controversy. The Ittehad-e-Millat Council, led by Maulana Tauqeer Raza, had called a protest rally against an FIR filed in the case. Despite a ban on gatherings, violence broke out, forcing the police to resort to lathicharge.
Police sources revealed that intelligence inputs indicated attempts to reignite tensions, which led to internet shutdowns on October 2 as a preventive measure.
Investigators have named Maulana Tauqeer Raza as the alleged mastermind behind the violence. To date, ten FIRs have been registered, booking approximately 2,500 individuals, including 200 identified by name. Of these, 81 people have been arrested and sent to jail.
Officials credited strict surveillance, preventive action, and heavy deployment for ensuring that this Friday remained peaceful across the state. The administration’s proactive approach has been pivotal in maintaining law and order during a sensitive period.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-on-high-alert-friday-prayers-pass-peacefully-amid-heavy-security-in-bareilly-video