In order to conduct Kanwad Mela peacefully, Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sadanand Date has allocated duties to police officers and policemen at sensitive places, ghats, market areas and other important places in the district.
Moreover, Uttarakhand Transport Corporation divisional manager operations CP Kapur said that for the benefit of travelers on various bus routes, the corporation will soon implement diversions on various bus routes.The SSP said that around 29 lakh Kanwadias have arrived in Haridwar to collect water from the Ganga and bathe in the river so far.
Around two crore Kanwadias are expected to reach Haridwar during the Kanwad mela this year. In view of the Kanwad Mela and ongoing Ramzan month, the Kanwad Mela has become sensitive this year and considering this, additional police force has been deployed at various important places in the district.
Police officers have been directed to intensify their patrolling in their assigned areas. “To prevent untoward incidents during the Mela, we have received three companies of Sashstra Seema Bal (SSB) and police force from other districts.A total of four additional SPs, 12 circle officers, 45 inspectors and police station in-charge, 207 sub inspectors, 1660 constables, six traffic sub inspectors, 77 traffic constables, 11 companies of PAC and five companies of paramilitary force have been deployed in the mela area. We have distributed around 2500 booklets containing instructions related to mela among police force,” he added.Police have established lost and found cell and so far 14 persons were reported missing and later found and handed over to their family members during the Mela so far.
Zonal and sector magistrates have been directed to allocate duties to policemen on daily or weekly basis.Har Ki Pauri ghat has been identified as sensitive place so police officers who are deputed there were directed to conduct inspection from time to time and inform the control room if suspicious items are found there.Janana Ghat has also been identified as sensitive and police officers have been directed to be vigilant on anti social elements and chain snatchers. To prevent untoward incidents, adequate police force has been deployed on various markets like Moti Bazaar, Bada Bazaar, Upper Road and other areas.
The police officers were directed prevent people from assembling at one place in the market areas, busy roads and other places.Police have also been assigned the task of inspecting bridges, tower, parking and other important places.To prevent terrorist attacks, bomb disposal squads have been established and teams are being deployed at various places in the district.
Water police have been deployed at various ghats to rescue those drowning in the river. Police have also been deployed at various highways, road crossings to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the district. Intelligence sleuths have also been put on alert.Meanwhile, Kapur said that due to ongoing Kanwad Mela, the routes of buses between Dehradun and Delhi and other places will be altered in the near future apart from which the bus fares will also be revised.
Following diversion of routes, passengers will have to spend additional time to reach their destinations.