Uttar Pradesh Police have initiated a widespread crackdown on loudspeakers across the state, focusing on the removal of unauthorized devices and the regulation of sound levels to comply with noise pollution norms. This campaign, which commenced on Sunday, aims to address violations of prescribed noise limits as outlined in the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules.

The impetus for this crackdown stems from directives issued by the Director General of Police (DGP), Rajeev Krishna, who instructed all police commissioners, SSPs, and SPs to enforce the regulations strictly. The core mandate is that no loudspeakers should operate after 10 p.m., and all sound systems must adhere to decibel limits set by the Pollution Control Board.

Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash is directly supervising the campaign. Authorities view this initiative as integral to maintaining public order and communal harmony, emphasizing that loudspeakers should not cause disturbance and that adherence to permissible sound levels and timings is non-negotiable.

In the Kanpur Zone, ADG Alok Singh reported the removal of 382 loudspeakers from eight police districts within his jurisdiction. Of these, 38 were donated to schools and colleges for educational purposes. Singh affirmed that the operation was conducted peacefully, with the cooperation of religious leaders and local committees.

Earlier operations saw the removal of thousands of loudspeakers. For example, one operation saw police remove over 2,500 unauthorized loudspeakers from religious places. In response to these actions, some religious leaders have voiced their concerns. Maulanas in Kanpur, for instance, objected to the removal of loudspeakers, asserting that even those installed in compliance with regulations were taken down without prior notification. They argued that their use of loudspeakers for brief periods, five times a day, did not warrant such measures.

The police have established clear guidelines for loudspeaker usage at religious sites, permitting only one loudspeaker per establishment, irrespective of whether it is a temple, mosque, or gurdwara. According to officials, the drives are conducted meticulously to ensure that no individual is harassed based on their faith.

However, questions have been raised regarding the preparedness of law enforcement personnel to tackle noise pollution effectively. An investigation highlighted that many police officers lack the necessary training and equipment to monitor and control noise pollution comprehensively. Some officers were unaware of decibel measurement units and the tools used to record noise levels.