Friday namaz on roads, rooftop gatherings prohibited in UP districts; violators to get passports cancelled

The UP city continues to remain tense since November 24 last year when violence erupted in the city's Kot Garvi locality during a survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid.

Lucknow: Security arrangements were tightened in communally sensitive towns in Uttar Pradesh as the authorities banned offering of the ‘Alvida namaz’ (prayers on the last Friday before Eid) on roads and rooftops.

According to the sources, the administration in Sambhal, Aligarh, Meerut, Baghpat and other places has issued clear instructions that Friday prayers will not be allowed on the roads and rooftops.

‘’Prayers will be allowed only in the mosques and Idgahs....we will take action if anyone is found to be offering prayer on the road and rooftop,’’ said an official in Meerut.

Reports said that the police have warned that the passports and driving licenses of the violators would be cancelled. ‘’Those found violating the orders will have their passports cancelled and they will not be able to go on the pilgrimage to Mecca,’’ said the official.

In Sambhal also, the district authorities have issued similar instructions and said that the step has been taken for the safety of the people.’’ There is a possibility of mishaps if a large crowd offers namaz on the rooftops,’’ said a senior police official in Sambhal.

Sambhal MP and senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Zia-ur-Rehman Burq decried the directives and said that the BJP government did not want the Muslims to offer Friday prayers.

Sources said that security was tightened across the state and security personnel in strength were deployed at sensitive places. The police and civil administration also held meetings of the peace committees at different places to ensure that the Alvida Namaz was offered in a peaceful manner.