UP police on alert, traders bodies asked to cooperate

Uttar Pradesh police has been alerted to maintain strict vigil near banks and other places to maintain law and order in the wake of decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes from today.
After the announcement caught people by surprise, long queues were seen at ATMs and petrol pumps last night.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has urged the Centre to ensure that the decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination currency notes did not have an adverse impact on the poor, farmers and villagers.
He urged the Centre to arrange for special camps in villages for exchanging currency notes saying banks were not easily accessible in the rural areas.

The situation became difficult for commuters this morning with many petrol pumps closing down claiming that they were out of stock, while in shops, customers were turned away by traders, who were not ready to accept notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.
"Director General of Police Javeed Ahmad has issued directives to all district police chiefs stating that there may be serious law and order issues after the announcement.

"Patrolling and visibility (of force) should be there at market areas, near banks, post offices," Additional Superintendent of Police in DGP office Rahul Srivastava said.
He said police officers have been directed to talk to traders bodies and petrol pumps and keep an eye on situation in rural areas.

Police has been deployed at petrol pumps to control the crowd.