Ahead of this year’s ‘Juta Maar Holi’ procession in Shahjahanpur, the district administration has covered mosques and mazars situated along the route with tarpaulin sheets and stepped up elaborate security arrangements across the town, officials said on Monday, the New Indian Express reports.
Observed on the day of Holi, the procession is a centuries-old local tradition. It centres on a man dressed as a colonial-era “Laat Sahab”, who rides through the city on a buffalo cart while people throw shoes at him in a symbolic act, amid colour and celebration. The event typically draws large crowds and passes through several densely populated neighbourhoods.
Officials confirmed that 48 mosques and mazars along the route have been fully covered with thick plastic sheets as a precautionary measure. In addition, 148 lanes that open onto the procession path will be barricaded to regulate movement and prevent sudden crowd surges.
Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said security deployment this year would be significantly higher than in previous years, with nearly one-and-a-half times more personnel than last year. More than 200 magistrates are being deployed, and the procession route has been divided into seven zones with sector and sub-sector arrangements for closer monitoring.
According to officials, four Additional Superintendents of Police, 13 Circle Officers, 310 sub-inspectors, 1,200 constables and 500 home guards will be stationed across the town. Four companies each of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and the Rapid Action Force will also be deployed. A team from the National Disaster Response Force will remain on standby during the ‘Bade Lat Sahab’ and ‘Chhote Lat Sahab’ processions to ensure uninterrupted surveillance and respond to any emergency.
Police said that while only minor incidents were reported during last year’s event, an additional zone has been created this time to address any contingency. Over the past month, peace committee meetings involving members of different communities have been conducted at police stations and outposts to maintain dialogue.
Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Rajneesh Kumar Mishra said 103 magistrates would also oversee arrangements at Holika Dahan sites. Preventive steps, including action against identified individuals and the opening of history sheets, have been taken in view of the event.
The procession traditionally begins with prayers at the Phoolmati Devi temple before moving through various parts of the city. A petition filed in the High Court in 1990 seeking a ban on the procession was dismissed, with the court recognising it as a long-standing tradition. Authorities have urged residents to celebrate peacefully and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt order.
