New Delhi: In an important political development, police personnel were posted outside the residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly in Lucknow on Saturday morning, Mata Prasad Pandey.
The step comes when the Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader was determined to lead a party delegation to Bareilly, where recent events have triggered tension and raised concerns of law and order.
A 14-member delegation of the Samajwadi Party announced a plan to visit Bareilly on Saturday to assess the ground situation and listen to public grievances after the recent communal unrest in the region. The team was to be led by Pandey itself, who emphasized the journey that it was intended as a peaceful, democratic effort to understand the concerns of the people.
However, the Bareilly district administration has made it clear that no political journey will be allowed at this time.
Citing the sensitive nature of the situation, officials have said that the presence of political leaders may risk harassing delicate peace.
The atmosphere is stressful, and any political activity can increase. Therefore, leaders trying to reach Bareilly can be stopped or prevented from leaving their homes, a senior official said.
Responding to the move, Pandey called the administration’s action “undemocratic” and a violation of constitutional rights. “We only want to meet people and understand what has happened. Stopping us in this way is against the spirit of democracy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended 48 hours of internet and SMS services in Bareilly district. Effective orders till 3 pm on October 4 include mobile internet, broadband and messaging platforms.
According to a notification by a Home Department, it was decided to prevent the spread of rumors and inflammatory content through social media and messaging apps.
The administration says that restrictions and agitations are temporary and are aimed at preserving peace completely. However, the opposition parties have criticized the government what they say a clampdown on democratic processes.
Bareilly’s position remains under a close watch, deployment of additional security forces and communication channels are restricted as authorities have worked to restore calm.
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