When the reasons behind the outbreak of violence between two communities in Uttar Pradesh’s Baraich district were explored, major lapses on the part of the police came to light. In Maharajganj area of ​​the Hardi police station area where the violence took place, investigations revealed that no information was recorded in the festival register of the police station for the past 13 years. In 2011, during Ganesh Chaturthi, the then superintendent of police of Hardi police station made the last entry in the festival register.
From 2011 to 2024, no police station made any mention in the festival register relating to the area, processions or religious events. There is no mention in the festival register of unruly elements and those spreading disturbances in the area. We tell everyone that after every festival, a register is written about who caused trouble, how much force was used, what shortcomings there were, and which ones needed to be corrected.
Also read: Balaich Violence: ‘…if Ram Gopal’s life can be saved’ He had to be taken to hospital on a bike and till then he was still breathing.
The festival register at Hardy Police Station has not been checked in 13 years?
This was the situation when the CO, Additional SP to the District Police Captain (SP) checked the festival register during inspection at the police station. Now the question arises, there is no record in the festival register of Hardi police station for 13 years, so no senior police officer has inspected the police station for 13 years? Vrinda Shukla, who has been working as a police officer in Bahraich for the past nine months, did not bother to check the festival register at Hardi police station.
Mahsi Superintendent of Police Rupendra Gaur had submitted a report regarding the matter to Inspector General of Police Vrinda Shukla on September 12, 2024. After the violence, no anti-riot equipment was found in working condition at the Balaic police line. This shows that these anti-riot equipment were neither inspected in time nor conducted anti-riot simulation drills. A report on this major lapse by the Balaichi police has been submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Like ADG Law and Order, ADG Intelligence also cited this serious failing in its report. Following the additional SP of Bahraich and Mahsi CO, now the government is also ready to take action against senior officials in the region.
Also read: Police prevent Munawwar Rana’s daughter from traveling to Bahraich, Sumaiya to go to violence-affected areas of Maharajganj.
Former DGP on why festival registration is important
Former Superintendent of Police AK Jain, in a conversation with Aaj Tak, stressed the importance of updating the police station’s festival register from time to time, “Further planning and the number of troops deployed are planned based on the festival register itself.” was made. Before every festival, each police station will check this register to see if there were any problems at this time last year. Which are the sensitive areas, how many troops are deployed and what measures are taken. On the basis of the facts recorded in the festival register for the previous year, the police chief decides which measures should be taken in which areas in the coming years.
Festival register helps police planning
Former Superintendent of Police AK Jain said: “It has been learned that there was an oversight in the festival register at Balaichhadi police station, which could cost the police dearly. “When I was the DGP, I had issued a notice on which day should Detailed instructions on which register to check. There is no way to know which idols are installed where without checking the festival register. Where does the problem occur, what measures need to be taken, and what action should be taken against the criminals before the holiday. In this regard, all police stations in Uttar Pradesh need to remain vigilant.
