New Delhi, March 29 -- As the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival begins from Suunday, March 30, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has ordered a ban on the sale of meat within half a kilometre of religious places in the state. The UP government has also ordered closure of illegal slaughterhouses ahead of the Chaitra Navratri festival.

Special restrictions will be imposed for Ram Navami on April 6, when animal slaughter and the sale of meat will be completely banned.

Chaitra Navratri, which begins on the day of Hindu New Year, begins on March 30 and end on April 7.

After the UP government order, the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Amrit Abhijat has directed all the District Magistrates, Police Commis...