Drones deployed amid high alert in violence-hit Bareilly

Security was beefed up across four districts in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly division on Thursday in view of Dasehra, with security personnel out on the streets and drones in the air. The government has also ordered suspension of internet services in Bareilly district for 48 hours, officials said.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department, mobile internet, broadband and SMS services would remain suspended in Bareilly from 3 pm on October 2 to 3 pm on October 4.

Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal said in an order that there is a possibility of social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp, and messaging services being misused to spread rumours and incite communal tension. The decision to suspend internet services was taken to maintain peace and public order.

The notification said during the said period, all SMS services of mobile service providers, mobile internet and data services, as well as broadband connections or wireless, would remain suspended.