Thursday, 25 July 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The police have registered a case against 10 unidentified Kanwadias who vandalised an e-rickshaw and assaulted its driver in Manglaur area of Haridwar on Tuesday. According to the Haridwar senior superintendent of police Pramendra Dobhal, a man Sanjay Kumar told the police that a confrontation occurred after his e-rickshaw slightly hit a Kanwad on a main road near Libberhedi in Manglaur. Though no damage was done to Kanwad, the owner of the Kanwadia allegedly got aggressive and gathered other Kanwadias to attack him and his vehicle. They reportedly began vandalising his e-rickshaw and physically assaulting the driver who sustained injuries, Dobhal said.
He informed that the police has registered a case against over 10 unknown accused and emphasised that the police are actively seeking to identify and apprehend them. The SSP also urged the Kanwadias to conduct their pilgrimage peacefully and to contact the police if they encounter any issues, rather than resorting to violence. “We have taken this incident very seriously and are committed to ensuring justice for the victim. We also appeal to all Kanwadias to maintain peace and approach the police for assistance if they face any difficulties.
The police are working extremely hard to ensure the comfort and convenience of Kanwadias but taking the law into their own hands is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the SSP stated. The Kanwad Yatra is a significant annual pilgrimage but despite this, it has occasionally been marred by incidents of violence and disruption, highlighting the need for heightened security and cooperation between pilgrims and law enforcement. Three Kanwadias were also arrested on Sunday for allegedly assaulting a few parking lot attendants in Muni Ki Reti, Tehri. Some Kanwadias also allegedly assaulted a truck driver in Bahadrabad area of Haridwar on Tuesday. It has just been four days since the Kanwad Yatra officially started but these latest incidents have already highlighted ongoing challenges in maintaining law and order during the Yatra.
The director general of police Abhinav Kumar had also issued an appeal to Kanwadias on Monday to conduct their pilgrimage with calm and composed mindset but it seems to be making no impact. The Haridwar SSP reiterated the police’s commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of all pilgrims while ensuring that such incidents do not recur. He said that the investigations are underway and strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the assault and vandalism.
