Kanwariyas, coming to Haridwar from neighbouring States like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal, Haryana and Punjab, to collect Ganga water and to take it to the Shiva temples of their respective places, would not be allowed to carry DJs (Disk Jockey) or loudspeakers and items like hockey sticks.
In order to conduct the Kanwar Mela peacefully which is set to begin on July 19, State Director-General of Police (DGP) MA Ganapathy held an inter-State and inter-agency coordination meeting at the police headquarters in Dehradun on Thursday.
While interacting with media persons, IG (law and order) Deepam Seth said that around three crore Kanwariyas are expected to reach Haridwar during Kanwar Mela. The police officers of neighbouring States like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh aside from those of ITBP, SSB, Railway Protection Force and Intelligence Bureau sattended the meeting. The police officers have been directed to ensure that no Kanwaria carries hockey sticks, baseball sticks, cricket bats, lathis and loud speakers in jeeps, trucks and tempos they would come on.
Ganapathy said that the objective of this meeting was to establish coordination among the police officers of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and those of other security agencies. He said they must all be alert in view of the possibility of some elements fomenting communal tension. This was possible with the Assembly elections in both Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh drawing near, DGP is learnt to have said.
The police officers have been directed to identify communally sensitive and ultra sensitive areas. Besides, policemen should be deputed there after giving them proper training to take the challenges head-on.
Co-ordination among the police officers of neighbouring states in the form of sharing information about drug peddling and movement of criminals among others is needed to complete Kanwar Mela glitch free in Uttarakhand.
He sought coordination and share of information from Uttar Pradesh Police to control drug menace, rampant in Dehradun district.
On the occasion, IG Sanjay Kumar Gunjyal and Haridwar SSP Rajeev Swaroop presented blue prints about traffic management, police arrangement, route diversion, prevention of carrying DJs and hockey sticks besides parking management.
Gunjyal said that the number of Kanwariyas coming to Haridwar has been increasing every year. In the period of 1985-90, around 15/20 lakhs Kanwariyas used to come. Now the figure has gone up to two crores as per the past few years’ turnout statistics. He sought approval from the senior police officers for the plans they have firmed up for the smoother conduct of things. He said a group of nodal officers should be formed for Kanwar Mela and they should be connected with what’s app message. Besides, he said that appointment of joint police forces at inter-state barriers should be made and community kitchen should be allowed at fixed places.
IG Deepak Seth laid emphasis on sharing information or dossiers related to international and inter-state gangsters, bounty criminal and absconders in order to maintain law and order and check crimes during Kanwar Mela.
The police officers discussed about coordination and joint checking at international border (Nepal) and inter-state borders and sharing information about other important security issues. Discussion was also held on how to check the flow of fake currency and control trafficking at Indo-Tibet and Indo- Nepal borders during the mela.