Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday chaired a comprehensive law-and-order and administrative review meeting through video conferencing and issued a series of strict directives ahead of Bakrid, emphasising that maintaining peace, public order and religious harmony would remain the state government’s top priority.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister categorically stated that no animal sacrifice would be allowed at public places and that sacrifices could take place only at pre-designated sites approved by the administration. He further stressed that there would be zero tolerance towards the sacrifice of prohibited animals anywhere in the state.
Yogi Adityanath also made it clear that no new traditions would be allowed during the festival and instructed district administrations to ensure strict compliance with existing norms and local arrangements.
“No Road Blockade For Namaz”
One of the key directives issued during the meeting related to Bakrid prayers and crowd management.
The Chief Minister instructed officials that namaz should only be offered at traditional and designated religious sites and that roads must not be blocked for prayers under any circumstances.
Officials were directed to ensure smooth traffic management and maintain normal public movement during the festival period.
The state government has consistently maintained a strict stance on public road occupation during religious gatherings, arguing that public convenience and law and order cannot be disrupted.
Crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses
Yogi Adityanath also directed authorities to maintain strict surveillance over slaughterhouses and ensure compliance with all legal and environmental norms.
He ordered strict action against illegal slaughterhouses and instructed officials to ensure that even licensed slaughterhouses do not keep animals beyond their permitted capacity.
The Chief Minister further ordered officials to ensure proper disposal of waste generated after sacrifices and maintain a ban on open sale of meat during the festival period.
Authorities were asked to ensure sanitation and cleanliness in urban and rural areas, particularly in sensitive districts.
Heavy security arrangements ordered
To prevent any untoward incidents during Bakrid, the Chief Minister directed police and district administrations to strengthen security arrangements across the state.
Flag marches in sensitive areas, continuous foot patrolling around religious places and enhanced surveillance were ordered as precautionary measures.
During the review meeting, Yogi Adityanath interacted directly with officials from sensitive districts including Aligarh, Bijnor, Saharanpur, Rampur and Sambhal.
He instructed them to carefully study incidents from previous years, identify potential troublemakers and take preventive action wherever necessary.
Officials were also directed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, sanitation services and emergency response preparedness during the festival period.
Apart from Bakrid preparations, the Chief Minister also announced a new initiative aimed at improving grievance redressal mechanisms at the grassroots level.
He directed that weekly “chaupals” would now be organised at every development block across Uttar Pradesh to address public complaints directly and ensure immediate resolution of issues.
According to officials, these chaupals will deal with matters related to revenue disputes, domestic violence, illegal extortion and complaints that allegedly remain unregistered at police stations.
People who are eligible for government welfare schemes but have not yet received benefits will also be identified and linked to such schemes during these programmes.
The Chief Minister emphasised that district-level officials must remain physically present during the chaupals and ensure transparent and satisfactory disposal of every complaint.
Warning against negligence in complaint handling
Yogi Adityanath also issued a stern warning to officials regarding negligence in handling complaints received through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) and the Chief Minister’s Helpline.
He said that merely disposing of complaints formally on paper would not be acceptable and stressed that complainants must receive actual relief and solutions.
The Chief Minister reiterated that accountability and transparency in governance remained essential priorities of the state administration.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming Ganga Dussehra festival.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure cleanliness at ghats, proper barricading, shaded waiting areas, ambulance deployment and organised parking arrangements in districts including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar and Amroha.
“In view of the intense heat, safety and convenience of devotees should remain the top priority,” the Chief Minister said during the review.
Special campaign against illegal mining and land mafia
Yogi Adityanath further directed authorities to launch a special statewide campaign against illegal mining activities and ordered the formation of dedicated task forces for strict enforcement.
He also instructed officials to intensify action against land mafia while ensuring that innocent citizens are not harassed during investigations and enforcement drives.
As part of broader law-and-order measures, the Chief Minister also ordered a campaign against vehicles operating without number plates.
During the meeting, Yogi Adityanath directed immediate appointments of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in districts where posts are currently vacant to strengthen healthcare administration.
The Chief Secretary also informed the Chief Minister that nearly 1.2 million manuscripts had so far been identified under the state government’s “Gyan Bharatam Mission”.
Senior administrative and police officials from across Uttar Pradesh participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
