Over 1,500 police personnel deployed in northeast Delhi for Kanwar Yatra

More than 1,500 police personnel, along with contingents of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), have been deployed across northeast Delhi as part of security measures in view of the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, an officer said on Thursday.

The annual pilgrimage, which began July 30 with the ushering in of the month of Shravan, will conclude August 11 on the occasion of Shravan Shivaratri, when devotees offer holy Ganga water at Shiva temples.

“A large number of Kanwariyas from Uttar Pradesh pass through northeast Delhi en route to Haryana and Rajasthan, making the district one of the key transit corridors for the yatra,” a senior police officer said.

The officer said comprehensive law and order, security and traffic measures have been put in place to ensure smooth and peaceful movement of devotees. The district, which shares a border with Uttar Pradesh, has six permanent border pickets and nine motorable entry points through which Kanwariyas enter Delhi.

Police said 78 Kanwar camps have been set up in the district, of which 31 are fully operational while the remaining are being prepared for devotees.

“Senior officers will monitor deployment and security measures throughout the pilgrimage period. Four sub-control rooms have also been established at Y-Point Dharampura, Maujpur Chowk, Khajuri Khas Chowk and near Gokalpuri T-Point to provide round-the-clock assistance and coordinate emergency response,” the officer said.

According to police, a total of 1,533 personnel have been deployed, including four assistant commissioners, 40 inspectors, 262 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, 1,145 constables and head constables, and 81 women personnel.

An additional 250 CAPF personnel have been deployed in two shifts to assist in maintaining security and law and order.

The police have also deployed 27 PCR vans, five Prakhar vehicles and 107 motorcycles for patrolling along Kanwar yatra routes. Authorities have directed Kanwar camp organisers to install CCTV cameras and erect ‘machans’ (watch towers) to strengthen surveillance.