Shahjahanpur,

23 Feb (HS): Officials reported on Monday that the authorities had covered

mosques and mazars along the paths of the traditional 'Juta Maar Holi' parade

in Shahjahanpur with tarpaulin sheets and pledged increased security for the

annual festival. 'Juta Mar Holi' is a centuries-old ritual observed in

Shahjahanpur on Holi day, when people hurl shoes and sandals at a person

costumed as a British-era 'Laat Sahab' and riding on a buffalo cart as the

centerpiece, while playing with colors. Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi

stated that this year's procession will include around one-and-a-half times as

many security opersonnel as last year, in addition to the deployment of over

200 magistrates. Four more superintendents of police, 13 circle officers, 310

sub-inspectors, 1,200 constables, and 500 house guards would be deployed,

according to the SSP.

He

stated that four companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid

Action Force, as well as a team from the National Disaster Response Force, will

be stationed during the parade. More than 100 solar-powered CCTV cameras have

been erected along the eight-kilometer path of the 'Bade Lat Sahab' and 'Chhote

Lat Sahab' processions to enable continuous surveillance even during power

shortages. Because the procession last year had small disturbances, an extra

zone has been established this time, he said, adding that peace committee

meetings with representatives of all groups have been held at police stations

and outposts during the previous month. While asking people to celebrate Holi

peacefully, Dwivedi made it clear that those who disrupted the parade would face

harsh consequences.

Rajneesh

Kumar Mishra, the Additional District Magistrate (Administration), stated that

48 mosques and mazars along the route had been entirely covered with thick

plastic sheets. To prevent unexpected crowd surges, up to 148 lanes leading to

the procession path will be closed. The administration has split the procession

into seven zones, each with its own sector and sub-sector. He noted that 136

zonal, sector, and static magistrates will oversee proceedings in their

respective locations. Mishra further stated that 103 magistrates will be

stationed at Holika Dahan venues to supervise rites ranging from pyre lighting

to ceremony completion. In light of the incident, preventive measures such as

the exclusion of identified persons and the opening of history sheets have been

implemented.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi