• Source:JND
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Uttar Pradesh has made elaborate security and surveillance arrangements ahead of the Kanwar Yatra to ensure a peaceful and incident-free pilgrimage. Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Krishna, after reviewing the preparations in Meerut, issued strict instructions to district-level officers to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, especially against any attempt to spread misinformation or objectionable content on social media.

A comprehensive security grid has been put in place across all Kanwar routes. Surveillance will be carried out using 29,454 CCTV cameras and 375 drones, including T-Third drones, all monitored centrally from the control room at the DGP headquarters in Lucknow.

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To strengthen crowd management and ensure timely assistance, 1,845 Jal Seva Kendras, 829 medical camps, and 1,222 police assistance centres/control rooms have been set up along the routes. Anti-sabotage checks have been conducted at Kanwar camps, and cameras have been installed for additional safety.

To assist devotees, police will provide contact numbers of station officers, traffic diversion plans, and other relevant information through barcodes, which will be widely publicised.

A massive deployment of personnel has also been rolled out. Over 66,000 police personnel, along with 50 companies of CAPF/PAC and 1,424 home guards, have been deployed across key points. The force includes 587 gazetted officers, 2,040 inspectors, 13,520 sub-inspectors, 39,965 head constables/constables, 1,486 women sub-inspectors, and 8,541 women constables. Special units like the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) have also been mobilised.

An eight-member team is monitoring internet and social media content 24/7 from the Social Media Centre at DGP headquarters. A dedicated interstate WhatsApp group has been created to coordinate with police officials from Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan, ensuring real-time information exchange related to route conditions, crowd control, and any security developments.

The DGP also emphasised quick action on any reports of misbehaviour or indecency, particularly involving women Kanwariyas. Special safety arrangements have been made for women pilgrims.

In view of the massive influx of devotees, regular traffic will remain suspended on certain highways, and alternative routes have been identified. Rehearsals of barricading and route diversion plans are being conducted. All non-Kanwar heavy and light vehicles will be diverted to alternate roads. Kanwariyas will be allowed to walk along the left side of the highways, with Bhandara (free food stalls) permitted only on the left and 20 feet away from the main road for safety.

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The DGP has also instructed officers to ensure that all personnel, especially constables, are properly briefed about their duties, conduct, and standard protocols during the Yatra.