Over 4,000 'shady' persons booked in 10 districts of Kashi

Varanasi: Ahead of the Ayodhya case verdict, police in 10 districts of Varanasi zone has initiated preventive action against 4,000 ‘shady’ persons having criminal record, anti-socials, mischievous elements and also those having history of disturbing communal harmony. They were booked under section 107 and 116(3) of CrPC and allowed to go after submission of personal bond.

The police had swung into action after October 15 in view of the possibility of SC verdict before November 17.

ADG Varanasi zone Brij Bhushan said, “Police in all 10 districts are working on multiple angles like strengthening peace committees, sensitising people with micro plan and map of communally sensitive areas and initiating preventive action.

“Though we had taking preventive steps by mid October, it were intensified on November 1,” said Bhushan adding, “only between November 1 and 6, a total of 3,968 persons having tainted past have been challaned and released on submission of personal bond.”

As per the details provided by him, 1,256 persons have been challaned in Azamgarh while number of people booked in other districts is 669 in Ballia, 525 in Varanasi, 430 in Ghazipur, 300 in Bhadohi, 256 in Sonbhadra, 196 in Jaunpur, 147 in Mau, 113 in Mirzapur and 87 in Chandauli region.

The ADG said that as the process of preparing list of persons who may take advantage of the situation to fan communal disharmony has already been started in October, hundreds of others have also been booked in this regard last month.

“Three persons have also been arrested in 31 cases lodged as a part of preventive action while 784 were arrested on the charges of breaching peace,” he said.

Apart from targeting these elements, police have also verified 19,267 licenced arms, he said adding, following this verification process, reports for cancellation of 93 arms licences including 50 in Ghazipur, 17 in Varanasi and 15 in Bhadohi had been given to district magistrates concerned while two have already been cancelled. Under drive against illegal weapons 101 illegal arms and cartridges in huge quantity have been recovered so far. Of the persons challenged or arrested, 206 have been booked under Goonda Act and 42 under Gangster Act. Preventive action would continue with intensified pace, he added.