The spiralling crime-graph in Haridwar district has left the administration and the police deeply worried in view of Char Dham Yatra, beginning from Tuesday and Ardh Kumbh Mela being slated to begin in January next. Over the past few days, four cases of murder and five rape cases were reported from laksar, Kankhal, SIIDCUl, Manglaur and Roorkee police stations under Haridwar district. The mounting crimes have exposed the efficacy of police’s repeated boast of taking fool-proof measures to stop crimes in the district.
Meanwhile, taking serious note of the crimes occurring in the district, DGP BS Sidhu had called a meeting at PHQ on Sunday. He exhorted police personnel to come down heavily on the criminals. A crime case, be it murder, dacoity or sexual assault, is being reported almost every alternate day from the district, a trend that is deepening wrinkles on the brows of the different arms of the Government. Thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the State are expected to arrive in Haridwar en route for Char Dhams - Gangotri Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Such crime cases continuing unabated might dissuade at least a section of the potential pilgrims from embarking on the pilgrimage. Ardh Kumbh is also drawing nearer with the officers remaining engaged in giving final shape to security preparedness for the mega religious congregation.
On April 15, a 14-year-old girl was brutally murdered by her step-brother over property dispute in Kankhal. Police, however, claimed to have arrested the accused. In SIIDCUl, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered by two neighbours on April 15. In this case too, police claimed to have solved the case by arresting the accused. In Roorkee and laksar, two women were allegedly raped by unidentified persons, two days ago. On April 16, a case of a minor being allegedly raped by unidentified person was reported at Manglaur police station.
“We wonder whether the mounting crimes would prove a damper for the pilgrims who are expected to swarm into this holy city in their millions during the grand religious congregation - Ardh Kumbh. This augurs ill for the Char Dham Yatra too,” said Sohan, a Haridwar resident.
Considering the possibility of rising crime rate causing a significant dip in the footfalls of the pilgrims, senior police officers held a meeting on Sunday. They were supposed to have given clear instructions to the police personnel to clamp down on crimes with a heavy hand.