Authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have begun covering 72 mosques and mazars with tarpaulin sheets along the route of a traditional Holi procession in Shahjahanpur, officials said on Sunday, in what they described as a precautionary measure.
The move comes amid heightened vigilance around religious processions in several Indian states in recent years following incidents of communal violence.
Municipal Commissioner Vipin Mishra said the coverings were intended to ensure the peaceful conduct of the annual “Laat Saheb” procession, locally known for participants throwing footwear at a man dressed as a British officer seated on a bullock cart.
“Shahjahanpur’s small and large Laat Saheb processions are an integral part of the city’s historic tradition,” Mishra told the IANS news agency. “All necessary arrangements have been made to conduct them peacefully. Covering religious sites is a purely precautionary step.”
The procession traditionally begins with prayers at the Phoolmati Devi temple before moving through the city. Holi will be celebrated on March 4 this year.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said security deployment would be stepped up along the route.
Four additional superintendents of police, 13 circle officers, 310 sub-inspectors, 1,200 constables and 500 home guards will be deployed, he told the PTI news agency, adding that the number is about one-and-a-half times last year’s strength.
Personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary, the Rapid Action Force and the National Disaster Response Force will also be stationed in the area, he said.
Dwivedi added that 148 lanes opening onto the procession route would be barricaded to prevent sudden crowd surges. He urged residents to celebrate Holi peacefully and said action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the festival.
Authorities have also held meetings of local peace committees involving members of different religious communities ahead of the event, officials said.