Police intensify security ahead of Kanwar Mela tomorrow

Dehra Dun, Jul 17 (UNI) The Uttarakhand police have made extensive security arrangements to prevent Kanwarias from entering Dehra Dun city and Mussorie ahead of the Kanwar Mela which starts tomorrow.

At a briefing called to review security preparations here, IG Garhwal Ashok Kumar said the city had been divided into seven zones and 22 sectors to facilitate the security operations.

The seven zones comprising Mussorie, ISBT, Jogiwala, Sahastradhara, Lacchiwala, Rishikesh and Doiwala, would be manned by 500 policemen to prevent instances of rowdism and drug abuse by Kanwarias.

''Kanwarias usually like to visit Mussorie, Sahastradhara and Lacchiwala and some of them indulge in intoxication resulting in fights. To check this behaviour, 500 policemen have been put on duty to check and ensure that the pilgrims do not enter Dehra Dun city and the Mussorie market,'' Mr Kumar said.

An estimated sixty lakh pilgrims will congregate at Haridwar when the Hindu month of 'saawan' begins tomorrow from the northern states of UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Bihar.

As a special security measure, police have put posters along the designated routes cautioning Dak Kanwarias to propagate a peaceful mela. They would also take the help of sadhus to ensure ban on loud music and reckless driving. Similarily, vehicles plying without permits would be prosecuted.

Over lakhs of Shiva worshippers walk through the roads in Uttarakhand each year to collect Kanwar (water from the Holy Ganga) in Haridwar with about half making the trip on wheels.

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