Dehradun: Even though the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the cancellation of Kanwar Yatra this year, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government allowed the Kanwar Yatra to commence from July 25 citing that it is a matter related to the faith of crores of people.
Following the UP government's decision, challenges of police in the border area have increased as preparations are in full swing to ban the entry of devotees in Uttarakhand. To contain the spread of Covid infection in the wake of the possible third wave, the Uttarakhand government has ordered to seal its borders from July 24. Additional police forces including sector officers will be deployed at the borders.
Read:| 'Kanwar Yatra' matter of faith, UP insists; Uttarakhand firm on nixing
According to sources, the UP CM has instructed officials to ensure that only devotees following Covid protocols and those who obtain negative RT-PCR will only be allowed for the Yatra to have good Covid management in place. Sources said that UP CM Yogi Adityanath even spoke to his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Dhami, requesting him that a finite number of devotees be allowed from UP to visit Haridwar for the Yatra.
Under such circumstances, it would be a matter of concern for the Uttarakhand government to get additional support from UP police to stop the entry of devotees. Reports have emerged that the Uttarakhand police will hold the second inter-state meeting in Haridwar within a week regarding enforcement action seeking cooperation from the neighbouring states.
Read:| Kanwar yatra: UP govt wants minimum number of pilgrims; RT-PCR test can be made mandatory
Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar has given strict instructions to all the SP and SSPs of 13 districts, including Garhwal and Kumaon range officers, to ensure a ban on Kanwar Yatra. DGP Ashok Kumar has appealed to the people not to come to Haridwar as Kanwar Yatra has been banned in Uttarakhand. He urged people to visit local temples to perform Jalabhishek.
Notable, Uttarakhand CM had announced the cancellation of Kanwar Yatra giving top priority to the protection of human life. Dhami had also directed the Secretary of Home and Director General of Police (DGP) to take appropriate action. He also instructed them to coordinate with the officials of the neighbouring states and to request them for effective action to tackle the pandemic.
