Lakhs of Kanwarias expected in Haridwar

Dehradun, July 10 (UNI) About 20 to 30 lakh Kanwarias are expected to participate in Kanwar mela at Haridwar, scheduled to begin from tomorrow, the holy Guru Purnima, for a period of 15 days.

The administration, looking into the vast number of Kanwaria's visit and recent terrorist attacks on religious places, has taken extra precaution to avoid any untoward incident during the mela.

According to the Superintendent of Police, Haridwar, Jagat Ram Joshi, all security arrangements have been made for mela.

He informed besides regular police force, extra force from RAF, PAC along with Bomb Disposal Squad, and police divers would be pressed into service at the mela.

He said TV circuit cameras have been placed at various sensitive places and three cranes would be kept for standby. The district area has been divided into three security zones and 15 sectors and to avoid chaos, separate place has been provided for Kanwar shops at Pantdweep.

Most of the Kanwarias have already left for Gangotri to collect 'Gangajal' and their arrival in the holy city of Haridwar was expected shortly. The return route for them would be via Haridwar- Delhi National Highway, which will be closed for normal traffic from July 13 to 23, Mr Joshi informed.

UNI XC AD VP0935