The annual four-day Urs at the revered shrine of Syed Shakeel Baba in Phoolpur village, Surajganj (Barabanki) in Uttar Pradesh, which has been held every year since the past 75 years from June 10, has been cancelled this year.

Authorities cited law and order concerns as the reason behind the decision, following last year’s violent clash between two groups during the event. The police administration denied permission for the religious gathering, fearing a repeat of the unrest.

According to Additional Superintendent of Police Vikas Chandra Tripathi, the previous year’s incident involved a brawl between shopkeepers and members of the public, leading to the registration of an FIR.

In light of this, a detailed police report was submitted to the district administration, recommending against granting permission.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Viveksheel acted on the police report and formally denied approval to the organising committee. The fair and Urs have traditionally drawn large crowds, but this year, precautionary measures have taken precedence.

This is not the first instance of such restrictions. Earlier, the administration had also halted the annual Urs at the Dargah of Syed Salar Sahu Ghazi in Satrikh, Barabanki and similar actions were taken in Bahraich and Sambhal, where Salar Ghazi fairs were barred citing public safety concerns.