Security has been stepped up in communally-sensitive Kanpur in view of the mourning processions to be held during Muharram falling very close to the Christmas and new year celebrations.
"The police administration has been put on high alert and has been asked to keep a close vigil on any possible clash between the revellers and mourners," DIG B P Jogdand said.
Additional security personnel have been deputed at all the sensitive areas in the city, he said, adding the intelligence units have also been alerted in those areas.
The tenth day of Muharram, which is the peak day of mourning, will be observed on December 28. Muslim devotees hold processions and mourn the entire ten-day period.
The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayad caliph Yazid I.
"Each procession will be scouted by a team of police personnel and some additional personnel will be deployed along in civil dresses as well," Jogdand said, adding, the Immambadas from where the processions originate, have been directed to install CCTV to record all the activities.
The roots of the normal traffic have also been diverted in view of the processions, he added.
The security checks at the railway stations, bus stands and at places of religious importance has been stepped up, he said.
