Lucknow: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to keep a close eye on anti-social elements and identify foreign nationals living illegally in the state. The directions comes in view of the festival season and urban local bodies' polls in the state.  

In an official statement late last night, Adityanath said, "There should not be any hurdle in celebrating the festivals in a traditional manner. Security arrangements should be made to ensure that idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh are established and immersed."  

He further said that steps be taken to ensure that incidents of theft, dacoity, eve teasing, chain snatching etc. are curbed, and security arrangements made at different markets including bullion markets.   The chief minister was addressing district magistrates, superintendents of police/senior superintendents of police through video conferencing.  

Issuing directions for peaceful conduct of urban local bodies' polls, he said, "Effective action is needed for peaceful conduct of urban local bodies' poll. Sensitive polling stations must be identified, and steps should be taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the election." The chief minister noted that illegal foreign nationals are a threat to law and order.  

"Foreign nationals living illegally in the state especially Bangladeshis must be identified and complete information about their activities must be obtained," he said. Adityanath instructed officials to launch a massive drive in the state against criminals, and said establishing rule of law in the state is the priority of the state government.  

The chief minister also told the administrative and police officials to ensure that public complaints are effectively redressed at the tehsil and police station level. PTI