The Kanwar yatras during the month of Shravan are underway and Shiva devotees all over are seen wearing saffron and carrying holy water to offer in temples. The UP government had taken robust steps to ensure smooth conduct of the Kanwar yatras and it had also arranged for comfort and safety of the yatris and the general public alike.
However, stray incidents of misconduct and hooliganism are a common feature every year. One incident in Delhi was brought to limelight when two Kanwariyas were allegedly involved in vandalising a car after it brushed one of them. Over 10 men dressed as Kanwariyas were allegedly involved in the vandalism incident that occurred after the men had an argument with the car driver. The Delhi Police has made the first arrest in the case. A burglar named Raju Billa was identified from the CCTV footage. Billa has reportedly involved in earlier cases of burglary in Uttam Nagar area.
In another incident, six Kanwariyas who had attacked a police vehicle on August 7 in Bulandshahar, UP were arrested today. The main accused Pappu was arrested too.
Six #Kanwariyas including main accused Pappu arrested in connection with attack on Police vehicle on August 7 in Bulandshahr (file pic) pic.twitter.com/KeoIfR3FeN
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 10, 2018
Some miscreants dressed as Kanwar had vandalised a PCR van and injured a cop when they had attacked with sticks. The video of the incident had gone viral. A group of Kanwariyas had attacked a youth in the Buklana village over a previous enmity and had attacked the PCR vehicle nearby.
There were also some incidents where petty criminals were found to be dressed as Kanwariyas as a means of easy escape. In Badaun, UP, a group of criminals dressed as Kanwariyas had attacked a local businessman and snatched his chain. In another incident, a group of people had reportedly tried to steal an Ola Cab on the Delhi Meerut highway and on arrest, had told the police that they were Kanwariyas trying to reach their destination. The police found the group suspicious as one of them was a Muslim and none of them was carrying any holy water.
Interestingly, taking cognisance of the many incidents where miscreants dressed as Kanwariyas incite violence and commit crimes, the UP police since last year had deployed policemen dressed as Kanwariyas to maintain vigilance and handle any situation.
However, despite the prompt police action, the Supreme Court today directed the police to take strict action against those responsible for the violence.
