Strict vigil across UP on Bakrid, police conduct flag march, foot patrols in sensitive areas

Police hold a flag march as security measures on the eve of Bakrid (Id al-Adha) festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday (May 27, 2026). | Photo credit: PTI

The administration in several districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) ahead of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha) is maintaining strict vigil and conducting foot patrols and flag marches in sensitive areas across the state, including Sambhal district, while appealing to the public to maintain peace and harmony in the community.

Special security measures are likely to be in place in districts like Sambhal, Meerut, Saharanpur, Rampur, Moradabad, Aligarh, Bareilly, Bahraich, Varanasi and Ayodhya. These include the deployment of the Provincial Armed Police (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) along with CCTV surveillance. Senior officials reviewed the security arrangements and issued necessary instructions to the police personnel.

“Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Range Moradabad held a review meeting with all SSPs/SPs, Additional SPs, Circle Officers and in-charge local intelligence unit in the region through video conference regarding preparations for Eid-ul-Adha and issued necessary instructions to the concerned,” an official statement by Moradabad Police said.

Also read: How Eid came under siege in Uttam Nagar

Similarly, Meerut Police informed in view of the upcoming festival and maintaining law and order in the district, under the leadership of Superintendent of Police (SSP) Meerut, all stations in-charge of Meerut Police conducted foot patrols at important places/roads and markets to maintain peace, security and harmonious environment in the district. District Magistrate (DM) Rampur along with senior police officers conducted a flag march on main roads, crowded places and markets in the city area to ensure safe conduct of the upcoming festival.

In Saharanpur, police conducted a flag march in Chilkana area. “Today, 27.05.2026, with the aim of conducting the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-adha in a safe, peaceful and harmonious environment, Circle Officer Sadar and Police Station Command Chilkana along with RAF and Police Force conducted a flag march at village Patni, Budhakheda and Saliri under Chilkana Police Station. During the flag march, public communication was established and public communication was established with with a flag march to celebrate the festival while maintaining mutual brotherhood, peace and law and order, that the public should stay away from rumours, share misleading/obnoxious posts on social media and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.

Congress national secretary Shahnawaz Alam claimed that such strict patrolling signals an attempt to create unnecessary fear in society and view Muslim festivals with suspicion. “It is a new trend that we are seeing with tight security measures in the districts and the administration describing Muslim localities as sensitive. It is an attempt to view the festivals of the Muslim community with a lens of suspicion. We need social healing through confidence building measures between communities, not tight security measures during festivals,” said Mr Alam, a Congress leader.

Published – 28 May 2026 12:15 PM IST