Lucknow, July 16 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Dharampal Singh undertook a review meeting of police officials and administrative machinery on the upcoming Kanwar Yatra on Thursday and told newsmen in Bareilly that shops selling non-vegetarian food, including meat, fish, and mutton, will remain closed entirely during the entire stretch of the Shrawan month.
He also said that the practice of honouring the Kanwar yatris, adopted during the Yogi Adityanath government, by showering flower petals will continue this year as well, and the Chief Minister himself will participate in the exercise on a couple of occasions.
The Kanwar Yatra, the annual pilgrimage during the month of Shrawan, is set to commence in Uttar Pradesh from July 30 and culminate on August 28. Days ahead of the mega congregation of ‘Kanwariyas’, the Uttar Pradesh administration and police are pulling out all stops to ensure that the pilgrimage remains safe, secure and hassle-free for yatris.
The Cabinet Minister, after the review meeting, issued a set of directives to the respective departments and officials to streamline the Yatra route and minimise hindrances along it.
He said that approximately 7,000 jathas (groups) will set out on the Kanwar Yatra within Bareilly district. A nodal officer has been appointed for every group. Arrangements have been put in place at the beginning of the journey itself; however, if any pilgrim from Bareilly faces any issue in Budaun or another district, the Bareilly police will coordinate to ensure their complete protection and security.
He said that instructions have been issued to provide medical kits to ailing pilgrims.
Social media will be closely monitored to prevent the spread of negativity or propaganda. Instructions have been issued to monitor social media for potential rumour-mongering and trouble-fomenting.
Speaking to the question of non-Hindus running eateries along the Kanwar route, he said that some individuals of a different faith engage in such tactics to ‘disrupt’ the pilgrimage.
“Our administration is fully prepared, deploying everything from mounted patrols to foot patrols and is actively identifying such individuals,” he stated.
–IANS
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