LUCKNOW: With Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja expected to draw huge crowds across the city, Lucknow Police has rolled out a comprehensive security and surveillance plan that includes drone monitoring of crowded areas and a special campaign against cyber frauds linked to festive shopping offers and digital payments.At a high-level review meeting on Wednesday, police commissioner Tarun Gauba directed senior officers to intensify patrolling, strengthen market security and ensure visible police presence across all police station limits during the festive period. The meeting was attended by DCPs, ACPs and SHOs from across the city.One of the key features of the security plan will be the use of drones and other technological resources to monitor crowded markets, commercial hubs, religious sites and other sensitive locations. Police have also been asked to ensure that CCTV cameras installed at key intersections, marketplaces and vulnerable points remain functional round the clock.With a sharp rise in online shopping and cashless transactions during the festive season, Gaba also sounded an alert over cybercrime. Police personnel have been directed to sensitise traders and residents about online frauds, fake shopping offers, suspicious payment links and OTP-related scams. Cybercrime units have been instructed to respond swiftly to complaints.Police said additional deployment and pickets would be set up in major markets, shopping malls and jewellery establishments. Plainclothes personnel will also be deployed to check pickpocketing, chain snatching and other street crimes.To strengthen women’s safety, Mission Shakti and Anti-Romeo squads have been ordered to maintain continuous patrols in marketplaces and public places, while women police personnel will be deployed at crowded locations.The commissioner also directed officers to keep strict surveillance on anti-social elements and monitor social media platforms for rumours, inflammatory posts or content capable of disturbing communal harmony.Special drives will be conducted against drunken driving, over-speeding, dangerous driving and motorcycle stunts. Police teams have also been asked to monitor locked houses and residential colonies to prevent burglaries during the holiday period.Gauba instructed all gazetted officers to remain mobile in their jurisdictions and personally supervise security arrangements. Appealing to citizens to celebrate responsibly, he urged people to follow traffic and firecracker safety norms and immediately report cyber frauds or suspicious online activities to the police.
