VARANASI: Authorities here have made it mandatory to produce residence and identity proofs to purchase bicycles, in the wake of last week's terror strikes in Jaipur where the vehicles were used to trigger explosions.
The administrative order issued today comes on the heels of a similar one in Faizabad-Ayodhya considering that the two temple towns have witnessed terror attacks and are listed as sensitive by intelligence agencies.
The Uttar Pradesh government denied it had issued any directives to bicycle dealers or shops to demand identity proofs from buyers but Varanasi police said it will "ensure its compliance" for the people's safety.
"Customers purchasing bicycles are now required to deposit ID proofs, and their address and telephone numbers will have to be written on the bills," Senior Superintendent of Police said.
He said electoral photo identity cards, driving licences, ration cards, bank pass books or government/public sector provided identity proofs would be accepted.
Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal however told PTI in Lucknow that neither the state government nor the state police had issued any such order.
"The bicycle is meant for the poor and those living in rural areas and any kind of ban or control on its sale is totally impractical," he said.
He said some district authorities may have independently asked bicycle-sellers to cross-check identity and residential proofs and inform the police about it.
