Do not clash with farmers during Bharat Bandh tomorrow: UP govt tells police

Special vigil has been put on place to keep an eye on any group not supporting the agitation which might try to create problems for the law enforcing agencies by clashing with those supporting the bandh.

Special police deployment has been made on all the highways and instructions have been given that no one should be stopped forcibly.

The Central Government has also issued a nationwide advisory for the Bharat Bandh which will be observed by the protesting farmers from 11 am to 3 pm.

Several opposition parties have supported the all-India strike call. The Union Home Ministry has asked the state governments and UT administrations to maintain law and order and ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines issued are strictly followed.

Official sources here on Monday said that directives have been also issued to ensure that those opening their establishments should not face any trouble and that the peace and law and order must be ensured at all cost.

Sources further said that the senior officers were also keeping a track of senior opposition leaders and they might even be detained or even taken into custody if they tried to create any kind of problem or instigate people in any manner.

Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC has already been enforced in many places, including Lucknow and in all of Western UP districts to arrest all those who try to forcibly close business establishments or hinder traffic movements.

Interestingly almost all the Opposition parties have supported the bandh and said they would come out in large numbers on Tuesday to make it a great success.

The Congress also declared that it will stage demonstrations against the new farm bills across the state on Tuesday.