LUCKNOW:  Tight security was beefed up in Lucknow today, August 9, for Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, with over 3,500 police personnel, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), mobile patrolling squads,  and Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams posted in sensitive locations of the state capital along with the deployment of drones.

A special social media surveillance unit has been set up, says a state government spokesman, to combat rumor-mongering.

We effectively split the entire city into five zones and 18 sectors for sensitive areas, said Chinappa, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West, Lucknow. Another senior police official said more than 2,500 non-gazetted police personnel from inspector to constable ranks are deployed only in the Old city.

In addition to civil police officers and staff, PAC and RAF have been sent in, he said, to prevent any unrest in the area.
The official went on to say that several routes have CCTV cameras placed, and some police officers would use bodycams to record everything that happens during the parade.

In addition,  drones will keep an aerial view on the entire area and motorcycle mobile units will patrol the entire Old City to make sure peace during Muharram, he added.

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