The Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday put up a banner near Chief Minister Adityanath’s official home in Lucknow, warning people that taking photographs and selfies in the VIP area was a punishable offence, the Hindustan Times reported on Thursday. The police said it will take strict action against offenders.

Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav criticised the police warning in a sarcastic tweet. “It’s a New Year’s gift to the people from the Uttar Pradesh government,” he said. “Taking selfies can invite action under the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act.”

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Thursday passed the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill, News18 reported. The legislation provides for capital punishment for convicts involved in organised crime and a penalty of up to Rs 25 lakh. Opposition parties walked out of the Assembly in protest after the bill was passed.

Immediately after Yadav’s tweet, the Lucknow district administration pulled down the banner, the report said. “Some youths had an altercation with police personnel posted at the security barrier when they were prevented from taking a selfie at the spot as it is a high-security zone,” Senior Superintendent of Police (Lucknow) Deepak Kumar told the Hindustan Times.

The police then put up a banner, informing people that the area was a high-security zone. Kumar claimed he had no knowledge of this.