The Yogi Adityanath government is taking a number of security measures to provide safety and comfort to Kanwar Yatris during the yatra which begins from tomorrow. According to reports, the government has deployed choppers, drones, ambulances and police protection vehicles to maintain law and order and prevent any incident of violence or harassment.
Director General of Police OP Singh had stated in a meeting last week that choppers and drone cameras will be used extensively for better crowd management and monitoring of yatra routes. CCTV cameras are to be installed for better management of safety and especially to prevent harassment of women kaawariyas.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath had conducted a high-level meeting with state officials on July 18th and had instructed them to ensure best security measures and facilities for the Kanwar yatris. He had also ordered rest houses and temples to be provided with adequate lighting, food and water facilities for the comfort of yatris.
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UP government has sent specific instructions to all the district magistrates in the state to monitor safety and discipline to prevent any sexual harassment of female devotees. There have been incidents in the past where female devotees were harassed. The instructions also reportedly highlight 9 main issues that were frequently reported during Kanwar yatras and asked the district authorities to take adequate measures to prevent those.
These 9 issues include rumours being spread through the social media, usage of DJ and loudspeakers, law and order situations in Muslim dominated areas, harassment of female devotees and scuffles with local businessmen. In a major step, the government has also reportedly ordered a ban on the open sale of meat on all the routes of the yatra in the districts like Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahar, Ghaziabad, Noida, Aligarh, Bareilly, Bijnor and Hapur.
In major cities, the police will be deployed CCTV cameras, petrol vehicles and drones to monitor safety. Last year, in a unique measure, the state police have also decided to deploy plainclothes officials and female police officers dressed as the yatris to monitor the situation and provide safety in sensitive areas. This year too, the Yogi government is determined to provide all possible comfort and safety to the Kanwar yatris while ensuring law and order in the state.
CM Yogi Adityanath has also ordered for rest camps with ample provisions to be set up every five kilometres for the Yatris. Long routes along the four national highways will be monitored by choppers and drones. UP-100 patrol vehicles and ambulances will also be provided for assistance in case of need.
Awareness programmes and instructions are also being given to Yatra committees to minimise the use of plastic and switch to eco-friendly products.