Ahead of festival season, Noida police holds meeting with religious leaders

Police commissioner Laxmi Singh also said the deputy commissioners of police of all zones had been directed to increase patrolling around major religious sites in their respective jurisdiction

In anticipation of upcoming festivals of Navratri and Ramzan, Gautam Budh Nagar police commissioner Laxmi Singh convened a meeting on Tuesday with members of resident welfare associations and religious leaders from all zones to ensure that the festivals are celebrated peacefully.

Police commissioner Laxmi Singh meets religious leaders and members of resident welfare associations at the Police commissioner’s office in Sector 108 in Noida on Tuesday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

The nine-day Navratri festivities will begin on March 22 and the month-long Ramzan is also expected to begin on Thursday.

According to officials, the meeting was held at the police commissionerate office in Sector 108. Singh also inspected several religious sites in the district.

“We inspected all religious places in the district expecting heavy footfall during the festive season and passed necessary directives to concerned officials. We told people that if anyone makes objectionable remarks against any religion, caste, or person, incites religious sentiments, or attempts to spread propaganda, they will face strict legal action,” she said.

She also said the deputy commissioners of police of all zones had been directed to increase patrolling around major religious sites in their respective jurisdiction.

The police said in a statement that such meetings were held regularly to maintain social harmony and that it was the people’s and police officers’ joint responsibility to help keep law and order in the region.

Participants in the meeting were instructed not to believe rumours and to immediately report any anti-social or malicious posts on social media. According to the statement, the police told the participants not to hold any events without permission in the coming days.