Kanwariyas are threatened by fundamentalists, MHA alerts the states

Kanwar Yatra | The holy Kanwar Yatra has started in the month of Sawan. Meanwhile, sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the state governments to tighten the security of the Kanwariyas, citing the threat from radical elements. Based on the inputs of the Intelligence Bureau report, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory to enhance security arrangements for Kanwar Yatra for several states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.

Railway Board has also been instructed to tighten the security of trains in view of the danger. Sources said that according to the advisory, a large number of police personnel should be deployed to deal with any kind of danger during the Kanwar Yatra.

Let us tell you that amidst tight security arrangements, the Kanwar Yatra started on the first day of the Hindu month of Shravan on Thursday, in which devotees of Lord Shiva reached Haridwar in large numbers to collect Gangajal. The Kanwar Yatra is taking place after a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials estimate that at least four crore Kanwariyas will reach Haridwar and Rishikesh to collect Gangajal during the fortnight-long fair.

Kanwariyas from several states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan visit Haridwar and Rishikesh to collect Gangajal and offer it to Lord Shiva in temples back home.

Tight security arrangements in place

In view of the apprehension of huge gathering of devotees in these two cities, strict vigil is being maintained through CCTV cameras, drones and monitoring of social media. Bomb disposal squad and anti-terrorist squad have also been deployed in the Mela area. Haridwar and adjoining areas have been divided into 12 super zones, 31 zones and 133 sectors, with the deployment of around 10,000 police personnel.

Police said the Kanwar Yatra routes would also be monitored round the clock and no Shiva devotee would be allowed to enter the city with spears and other weapons.