Drones, CCTVs, central forces: Tight security on Hanuman Jayanti across India after Ram Navami clashes

The Union Home Ministry asked all states on Wednesday to take measures to maintain the law and order situation during Hanuman Jayanti on Thursday and to close vigil any factor that could disturb peace and harmony in society.

Central armed forces have been deployed in West Bengal to help the state police to repel troublemakers from inciting violence during Hanuman Jayanti, days after communal flare-ups shook the state, the home ministry said.

Over the past few days, incidents of clashes and fire-bombing were reported in Hooghly and Howrah in West Bengal after Ram Navami processions.

On Monday night, there were further reports of violence. Several vehicles were set on fire and shops were ransacked in Howrah. Clashes were also reported on Sunday in Rishra, where BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh and Pursurah MLA Biman Ghosh were present. During the incident, the MLA sustained injuries and was hospitalised.

Bihar also witnessed incidents of communal violence, with reports emerging from Biharsharif, Nalanda, and Sasaram. In response, the police enforced prohibitory orders and suspended internet services in the affected areas.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the Bihar Governor and dispatched security forces to sensitive locations of the state to curb violence.

Delhi

Security measures have been taken in northwest Delhi's Jahangirpuri ahead of the Hanuman Janmotsav celebration, which had experienced communal violence during the same festival last year, India Today reported.

The procession is being regulated in consultation with the organisers and the police officials are constantly patrolling the area. Paramilitary troops have been deployed in the area to assist Delhi Police and riot control vehicles have been stationed there, the report said.

Initially, the police had denied permission for the yatra on April 4, but after the organisers wrote a letter asking them to reconsider their decision, the permission was given for the rally and the route has been regularised.

"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.

On April 16, 2022, clashes broke out between two communities during a Hanuman Janmotsav procession in Jahangirpuri, northwest Delhi. Eight police personnel and a local were injured in stone-pelting and arson that followed the skirmish. Some vehicles were also set on fire.

As a preventive measure, Delhi Police has locked all gates of C-Block, which was the site of last year's riot, and is taking necessary steps to maintain law and order in the area, according to the India Today report.

Delhi Police also held a meeting with masjid committee members and urged them to ensure young people don’t step out till 4 pm.

West Bengal

Following violent clashes during Ram Navami rallies in parts of Hooghly and Howrah districts in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court directed the deployment of three companies of central forces to assist the state police in maintaining peace during Hanuman Janmotsav celebrations.

Each company of central forces comprises around 150 personnel.

In addition, central police forces were also deployed in parts of Kolkata, Hooghly, and Barrackpore on Thursday to help the state police in ensuring law and order, as per the high court's suggestion.

According to sources, one company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been split into seven sections, with each section assigned to cover a sensitive police station area in Kolkata. Each section of the central forces will consist of 8 CRPF personnel. The central security force is expected to carry out route marches in several locations to instill confidence and promote peace among the public.

Media reports said citing officials that the central troops were deployed in multiple areas of Kolkata, including Amherst Street, Jorasanko, Park Circus, Kidderpore, and Port areas.

According to police sources, one company of the CRPF will cover seven police stations across four divisions in Kolkata—Central division, South division, Port division, and North Division, said the reports.

Police sources have said that on Thursday, 5-6 processions are planned to be carried out in Kolkata and Hanuman puja will be held in around 70-80 temples.

Bihar

Meanwhile, the Bihar administration has banned yatras and processions in the districts of Nalanda and Sasaram, which saw a spate of violence during the Ram Navami procession.

Tension spiralled in Biharsharif following the death of a 16-year-old boy due to cross-firing on Sunday night.

The Bihar Police has arrested around 150 people in connection with the incidents in Bihar Sharif and Nalanda. On Tuesday, police said the situation in Bihar Sharif and Sasaram has returned to normalcy, with no further instances of violence reported in the past four days.

A delegation from the BJP is expected to visit Biharsharif at around 11 am on Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat on alert

The Uttar Pradesh Police is on high alert for the Hanuman Janmotsav procession and have not authorised any new route for the Shobha Yatra, India Today reported.

Mobile patrolling, CCTV, and drone cameras are monitoring all sensitive areas and routes.

The intelligence system is activated, and police have been instructed to respond quickly to any incidents, no matter how small.

As many as 112 vehicles have been deployed on sensitive routes, and police patrolling is being conducted outside major markets and business establishments.

In Gujarat, two Shobha Yatras will be held in the evening amid tight security, with approximately 1,000 police personnel and drones monitoring the routes. The entire Shobha Yatra route will be covered by CCTVs