PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted at the Police headquarters level to monitor Operation Kalnemi in Uttarakhand. This decision was taken following a directive by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during a review meeting held at the secretariat on Monday.
Operation Kalnemi, an ongoing police initiative, is focused on identifying and acting against individuals and groups involved in illegal activities or those who deceive people under the guise of faith and religion. As per the police, the operation recently led to a multi-state and international religious conversion network operating in Dehradun being exposed. The network allegedly targeted vulnerable young women through social media, attempted to influence them emotionally and financially and facilitated their conversion and planned marriages under new identities.
The investigation revealed connections to individuals based in Pakistan, Dubai and other Indian cities. The case was also found to be linked to a similar investigation already underway in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. As per the police claims, one of the women was called to Delhi for conversion due to Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the anti-conversion law in Uttarakhand.
In view of these recent developments, the CM on Monday instructed officials to immediately take steps to further strengthen the religious conversion law in the State. He said that Uttarakhand, being a border State and a land of religious and cultural importance, must not allow any attempts to alter its demographic structure.
Dhami also emphasised that individuals who fall into such networks should be provided with proper counselling and support. He added that Operation Kalnemi has been effective in curbing such activities and must be continued further with strict monitoring. The SIT will ensure focused oversight of the operation and help in coordinating action across agencies, he said.
