Dehradun: Uttarakhand Police Chief Ashok Kumar on Thursday said ‘Kanwariyas’ entered Haridwar despite the suspension of Kanwar Yatra this year will be quarantined for 14 days.
The Director General of Police held a meeting with senior police officers here effectively upholding suspension and asked them to identify places in and around Hardwar where ‘Kanwariyas’ (Dewah Shiva) could be stored under quarantine.
He also ordered the establishment of a Kanwar enforcement team in Haridwar District, Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri to patrol the streets and enforce law and order during the Kanwar Mela period which was prohibited.
DGP said if ‘Kanwariya’ looks on the road, he must be sent back by bus or other means of transportation.
Police officials were also asked to prepare SOP in consultation with district judges considering the suspension of the annual ritual.
‘Kanwariyas’ comes with Haridwar trains will be forced to go up to the station before Haridwar and sent back on the bus, he said.
He said IG (law and order) must hold a meeting in Haridwar with high-ranking officials in neighboring countries to discuss how Ganga water can be sent in tanker conditions to their country.
The meeting must be held with the Kanwar Association and Committee to notify them about the suspension of Yatra and such a record of such a meeting stored at the police station concerned so that actions can be taken against violators under the epidemic actions, he said.
The shopkeeper in the district must be asked not to sell items related to Kanwar Yatra, he said.
However, DGP said those who came to Haridwar for immersing Abu should not be stopped.
The Uttarakhand government canceled Kanwar Yatra on Tuesday given the threat to towering the third wave of Covid-19.
TIR TIR ALM.