In view of the farmers protests in Uttar Pradesh and upcoming festivals, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar on Sunday, 10 October, issued an order cancelling all types of leaves of the staff till 18 October.
The order read, "In view of upcoming festivals and proposed programmes of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, Uttar Pradesh Police cancels all types of leaves of the staff till October 18. Leave from Headquarters will be allowed during this period only for unavoidable reasons. This order with immediate effect will be effective", news agency ANI reported.
This comes as the country celebrates the festival of Navratri, while Durga Puja pandals are being set up and Ramlila is set to be staged.
It’s expected that overcrowding in markets and public places will be observed due to the festivals.
Moreover, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called farmers to attend 'Antim Ardas' on 12 October at Tikonia in Lakhimpur Kheri district of UP, in view of the incident on 3 October, which resulted in the death of eight people including four farmers, after an SUV allegedly driven by Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Teni Misra’s son Ashish Misra mowed down farmers.
SKM has further appealed for candle marches on the evening of 12 October, ANI reported.
Farmers’ nationwide protest also includes burning effigies on Dussehra, 15 October, of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s leaders, starting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other local leaders.
Furthermore, a "Rail Roko" protest will be organised across the country on 18 October from 10 am to 4 pm.
Prashant Kumar has asked all Zonal Additional Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Regional Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, District Police In-charge, Superintendent of Police, Railways not to allow leave to police personnel till 18 October.
(With inputs from ANI)
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