According to the police, the organisers had sought permission for the Hanuman Janmotsav procession in the Jahangirpuri area and the route has been regularised.
On April 4, Delhi Police had initially denied permission to the yatra. However, organisers wrote to Delhi Police on Wednesday asking them to reconsider their previous decision, following which permission was given for the rally.
“The procession organisers will follow the approved routes. Around 200-300 people will participate in one procession and around 500 people are expected to take part in another procession,” Jitendra Meena, DCP-North West told ANI.
Eight police personnel and a local were injured in stone-pelting and arson after clashes broke out between two communities in Jahangirpuri during a Hanuman Janmotsav procession on April 16, 2022. Some vehicles were also torched.
Preventive measures are being taken by Delhi Police and all the gates of C-Block have been locked. C-Block is the place which saw the flashpoint of the riot last year.Delhi Police held a meeting with the masjid committee members and requested them to ensure that young people didn’t venture out till 4 pm.
CENTRAL FORCES IN WEST BENGAL
Three companies of central forces were deployed to assist the state police in maintaining peace during Hanuman Janmotsav celebrations at the direction of the Calcutta High Court after violent clashes broke out during Ram Navami rallies in parts of Hooghly and Howrah districts. One company has around 150 personnel.
Central police forces were deployed in parts of Kolkata, Hooghly and Barrackpore on Thursday to assist the state police in maintaining the law and order situation after the high court’s suggestion.
One company of CRPF has been divided into seven sections which will cover seven sensitive police station areas in Kolkata. Each section of central forces will have the strength of 8 CRPF personnel, sources told India Today. The central security force will conduct route marches in several places to build confidence and give a message of peace to the people.
KOLKATA ON ALERT
In Kolkata, the central troops were deployed in Amherst Street, Jorasanko, Park Circus, Kidderpore and Port areas, an official told PTI.
Police sources told India Today that one company of CRPF will cover four divisions and seven police stations in Kolkata. Central division, South division, Port division and North Division have been selected to deploy central forces in the city.
A Kolkata top police official said, “Our local divisional deputy commissioners will co-ordinate the movement of central security forces in their concerned areas and will also provide local forces to accompany these contingents.”
According to police sources, on Thursday, 5-6 processions will be carried out in Kolkata and Hanuman puja will be performed in 70-80 temples.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged people to celebrate the Hanuman Jayanti festival peacefully so that there is “no problem anywhere”.
“Tomorrow is Hanuman Jayanti. I will urge everybody to celebrate it peacefully. There will be no problem if peace is observed. Bengal is the land of peace,” Banerjee told reporters in this sear resort town in Purnba Medinipur district. Religion is a personal choice, festivities are for everyone,” she said.
NO YATRA IN VIOLENCE-HIT AREAS IN BIHAR
In Bihar, the administration has banned yatras and processions in violence-hit districts of Nalanda and Sasaram, which saw violence during the Ram Navami procession. Tension had escalated in Biharsharif after a 16-year-old boy was killed in cross-firing on Sunday night.
As many as 150 people were arrested in connection with the incidents in Bihar Sharif and Nalanda. The Bihar Police on Tuesday claimed that normalcy has been restored in Bihar Sharif and Sasaram. No violence has been reported in the last four days.
Meanwhile, a BJP delegation will visit Biharsharif on Thursday around 11 am.
ALERT SOUNDED IN UP, GUJARAT
The Uttar Pradesh Police is also on alert for the Hanuman Janmotsav procession and no permission has been given for a new route for Shobha Yatra. All the sensitive areas and routes are being monitored by mobile patrolling, CCTV and drone cameras.
An alert has been issued in UP on Hanuman Jayanti. Intelligence system has been activated, instructions have been given to act immediately, even in the case of small incidents. Police patrolling is being done outside major markets and business establishments and as many as 112 vehicles have been deployed on sensitive routes. All Shobha Yatras are being monitored and there is no permit for any new route for Shobha Yatra.
As far as Gujarat is concerned, two Shobha yatras will be taken out in the evening at around 5 pm, amid tight security. Around 1,000 policemen will be deployed to monitor these Shobha Yatras and drones will also be used. The CCTVs will be used to cover the whole route of Shobha Yatras.