Lucknow, May 27 (PTI): Extensive security arrangements, including drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, route marches, traffic diversions and deployment of additional police personnel, have been put in place across Uttar Pradesh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha celebrations on Thursday, officials said.
Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Bakrid or Eid al-Adha, is celebrated by Muslims to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command, symbolising faith, devotion and sacrifice.
Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said that namaz would not be allowed on streets and if required, prayers could be offered in shifts.
In Lucknow, police have deployed 1,347 police and traffic personnel, besides six companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), wireless units and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) teams, to ensure smooth conduct of prayers and maintenance of law and order.
According to police, Eidgah Aishbagh and surrounding areas have been divided into four zones and five sectors for security management. Special traffic plans and diversions have also been prepared around major prayer venues, including Teele Wali Masjid, Eidgah Aishbagh and Asifi Masjid at Bara Imambara.
Police said joint briefings and mock drills have been conducted for crowd management and route security, while CCTV cameras are being used for round-the-clock monitoring of key roads, intersections and religious sites.
Plainclothes women police personnel, Anti-Romeo squads and Pink Patrol teams have also been deployed at crowded places to prevent harassment and ensure women’s safety, officials said.
In Sambhal, the district administration has divided the district into five zones and 16 sectors and intensified surveillance through drone cameras and social media monitoring teams.
District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal said prayers would be offered at 828 mosques and Eidgahs and elaborate arrangements had been made for sanitation, drinking water and disposal of remains after sacrifice. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said peace committee and mohalla-level meetings had been held and people were instructed not to offer namaz at public places or conduct sacrifices outside designated locations.
Additional Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh said CCTV cameras, drone teams, social media cells and intelligence units would remain active during the festival, while route marches and flag marches had already been conducted in sensitive areas.
In Varanasi, district authorities appealed to residents to offer namaz at designated places and avoid prayers on roads.
Officials said drone cameras would be used for surveillance across the city and sacrifices should be carried out within homes or enclosed areas. In case of overcrowding, prayers may be conducted in two shifts, they said.
The administration urged people to maintain peace and communal harmony and asked citizens to immediately contact police in case of any issue during the festival.
In Agra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Ali Abbas said the city had been divided into sectors and adequate police force deployed for the festival.
He said discussions had been held with imams and religious leaders and instructions issued against offering namaz on roads and carrying out sacrifices in the open.
Meanwhile, sacrificial animal markets in Agra witnessed heavy rush on Wednesday, particularly in the Mantola area, as people made last-minute purchases ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Thursday, May 28, 2026