Take steps to tackle communal strife: UP to dist officials

Warning that some forces can "create tension" at certain places and spoil communal peace, Uttar Pradesh government today directed the authorities to ensure law and order in their respective districts.
UP Chief Secretary Javed Usmani said,"It has come to the notice of the government that at certain places some forces can create tension which could spoil law and order and communal peace."
Usmani directed the authorities to ensure communal harmony in their respective districts, and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty of laxity.
"Laxity or negligence at any level will be taken seriously and strict action will be taken," he said.

Issuing necessary directions through the radiogram, the chief secretary asked all divisional commissioners, zonal IGs, DIGs, district magistrates, SSPs and SPs, to maintain communal harmony "at any cost", a home department spokesman said.
Usmani also instructed that all sensitive places at the districts level, which have the potential or history of communal dispute, should be identified beforehand.

He also asked for preparing a list of mischievous elements which can spoil communal atmosphere and initiate pre-emptive steps, besides maintaining a close eye on the activities of such elements to ward off any untoward happening.
He said that the list of such mischievous elements need to be updated from time to time.

The chief Secretary said that the Home Department has already issued detailed guidelines in this regard earlier and there is a need to ensure their strict compliance.
Usmani asked senior officials to promptly report incidents of communal tension promptly.