Taking serious note of stray incidents of communal flare ups in the state ahead of panchayat polls, the Uttar Pradesh Police today said stringent National Security Act (NSA) will be invoked against those found involved in provoking people.
UP Director General of Police Jagmohan Yadav said that these small provocations later flare up in communal riots as witnessed in Muzaffarnagar.
"A minor mishap of two motorcycles took form of a full- scale riot in which scores were killed in western UP," the DGP said.
"It has been seen in some western districts of the state that petty issues turn into violence between two communities," he said.
Yadav was inspecting a modern police control room here.
"People who give communal colour to petty issues are being identified and action under NSA would be taken against them," he said, adding that police officers who fail to control such incidents would not be spared too.
Yadav said that these incidents are occurring in the wake of upcoming Panchayat elections and Assembly polls to be held in 2017.
The state police chief asked police officers in the western UP to stay vigilant and to identify people who provoke masses.
Asked if the ruling party in the state could benefit from such communal violence, he said that no government wants poor law and order situation in their state.
The DGP also denied any pressure on police officers by the ruling party leaders.
He said that the police's priority is to ensure peaceful panchayat polls.
