Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes banned: UP Police on alert, trade bodies asked to cooperate

Uttar Pradesh police has been alerted to maintain strict vigil near banks and other places to maintain law and order in the wake of decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.

After the announcement caught people by surprise, long queues were seen at ATMs and petrol pumps on Tuesday night.

The situation became difficult for commuters on Wednesday with many petrol pumps closing down claiming that they were out of stock, while in shops, customers were turned away by traders, who were not ready to accept notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.

"Director general of police Javeed Ahmad has issued directives to all district police chiefs stating that there may be serious law and order issues after the announcement. "Patrolling and visibility (of force) should be there at market areas, near banks, post offices," additional superintendent of police in DGP office Rahul Srivastava said.

He said police officers have been directed to talk to traders bodies and petrol pumps and keep an eye on situation in rural areas. Police has been deployed at petrol pumps to control the crowd.