Bareilly Division on High Alert: Internet Suspended Amid Communal Tensions
High alert in Bareilly division, internet suspended for 48 hours.
In a sweeping security clampdown across Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly division, authorities have deployed police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel on streets, with drones hovering overhead to monitor festivities and potential unrest during Dussehra. The measures, spanning four districts including Bareilly, come amid heightened tensions following a recent communal flare-up, prompting the state government to suspend all internet services in Bareilly district for a full 48 hours starting Thursday afternoon.
A notification from the Home Department, issued by Secretary Gaurav Dayal, mandates the shutdown of mobile internet, broadband, and SMS services from 3 PM on October 2 until 3 PM on October 4. The order cites risks of social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp being exploited to spread rumors, inflammatory content, and incite communal violence, emphasizing the need to preserve peace and public order during the sensitive period.
The alert stems from a volatile incident on September 26, when a gathering of around 2,000 people outside a mosque in Bareilly's Kotwali area turned confrontational after Friday prayers. The assembly, sparked by the cancellation of a planned protest over the controversial "I Love Muhammad" poster row led by cleric Tauqeer Khan, escalated into stone-pelting and clashes with police. Authorities reported minor injuries and arrests, but the episode exposed underlying communal fault lines, prompting preemptive action ahead of Dussehra processions and Ravan effigy burnings that traditionally draw massive crowds.
Also Read: Bareilly Division on High Alert: Drones, Police Guard Dussehra Festivities
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras are conducting aerial surveillance over sensitive zones, religious sites, and procession routes to detect any suspicious movements in real-time. Checkpoints have been erected at entry points, with vehicle searches intensified, while paramilitary forces patrol mixed neighborhoods to deter misinformation-driven gatherings. Local administration has urged residents to avoid sharing unverified content and report provocative posts, with cyber cells on standby to trace origins of potential hate speech.
This isn't the first such blackout in the region; similar suspensions occurred during past festivals and elections to curb viral fake news that fueled riots. Community leaders from Hindu and Muslim groups have been roped in for peace meetings, appealing for harmony amid the festive season. Critics, however, decry the blanket internet ban as an overreach that hampers daily life, education, and business—especially for students preparing for exams and small traders reliant on online payments. Rights activists argue it violates digital freedoms, but officials defend it as a necessary safeguard, pointing to intelligence inputs on possible provocations via encrypted apps.
As Dussehra celebrations kick off with Ramlila enactments and fairs, the fortified security blanket aims to ensure incident-free revelry. Yet, the episode underscores Uttar Pradesh's ongoing battle with communal sensitivities, where social media's double-edged sword often amplifies local disputes into wider conflagrations. With eyes on the skies and boots on the ground, Bareilly braces for a tense but hopefully peaceful holiday weekend.
Also Read: BDA Targets Tauqeer Raza’s Network, Seals Hotels and Lawns in Bareilly
