Lucknow, July 19: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken serious cognizance of the row over Lulu Mall in Lucknow and has directed the administration to crack the whip against those making efforts to create unnecessary controversy and vitiate the atmosphere by creating communal hatred.
Chairing a high level meeting of the administrative and police officers, the CM said, “A new mall has opened in Lucknow, which is working as a commercial establishment. To make it a den of politics, issuing unwanted statements in its name and then demonstrating on the roads by obstructing movement of the public should not be tolerated.”
He said that despite the Lucknow administration being told repeatedly malicious efforts are being made to create anarchy and communal hatred which should be taken seriously. “The administration should not accept notorious elements, who promote petty issues and make efforts to vitiate the atmosphere. It should deal with them strictly,” he said.
It may be noted that a major controversy broke out after a video showing some people offering namaz inside Lulu Mall premises went viral on social media. To protest against the incident some Hindu organisations have announced their intent to recite the Hanuman Chalisa in the mall.
After the controversy broke out the mall administration lodged an FIR at Sushant Golf City police station on July 14. The Lucknow police commissionerate on July 15 arrested four persons. While three were arrested for reciting Hanuman Chalisa, one was arrested for offering namaz.
On July 16 the police again registered an FIR against 18 people for disturbing peace and arrested two more persons on charges of disturbing communal harmony.
CM Yogi issued guidelines regarding the smooth and peaceful organization of Kanwar Yatra and successful organisation of Independence Week. He also directed the officials to improve the functioning according to the ranking of the police station, tehsil and district level of complaints received on IGRS, Janata Darshan and CM Helpline.
The CM said that the satisfaction of the common man is most important. “All the officers and personnel associated with the administration should understand this. Common man has the right to get justice. A period of one hour every day is fixed for public hearings in Tehsils and offices having direct connection with public interest. During this period the officers should meet the public, listen to complaints and problems and resolve them on merit,” he said.
He said that the District Magistrate and Police Chiefs should maintain constant communication and contact with the local public representatives. “Pay attention to their suggestions. Their letters should be disposed of expeditiously. If you can’t answer the phone call, give a call back. Every government official has to comply with this,” he said.
Yogi said that on the special occasion of the first Monday of the holy month of Shravan devotees performed Jalabhishek with faith and enthusiasm in all the districts of the state. “It is the result of our good preparation that the situation remained peaceful everywhere,” he said.
He said that after a gap of almost two years, this time Kanwar Yatra is being organised. “In such a situation, it is natural for the devotees to be excited. A large number of people are traveling for Jalabhishek. The Kanwar Yatra is going on smoothly. A sad incident has also been reported in Amroha. In such a situation, we have to be more careful. Kanwar unions should be registered,” he directed.
The CM said that health posts should be set up at various places on the Kanwar Yatra route. “Health and wellness centers can also be useful. First aid facilities are available here. In view of the scorching heat, there should be a system of providing drinking water on the route,” he said.
He said that Kanwar is the busiest on the Ghaziabad-Haridwar route from the point of view of travel. “Devotees from other states also come here. Therefore, maintain communication with the border states also. Along with this, traffic route diversion should also be done keeping in view the number of devotees on other travel routes,” he said.
The CM said that prompt action and communication are helpful in handling unfortunate incidents. “In such cases, the DM and Police Chief himself must reach the spot as soon as they receive information. Senior officers must lead in case of sensitive matters. Implement the sector scheme,” he directed.
He said that mischievous elements can make malicious efforts to incite people of other communities unnecessarily, keep an eye on such cases. “Adequate arrangements for security and public convenience should be made in the area where the Kanwarias stay overnight. Police force should do foot patrol. PRV 112 must remain active,” he said.
With UNI Inputs…
