Use drone cameras, choppers for kanwar yatra vigil: CM

LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has asked senior police officers to ensure installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the main routes of the kanwar yatra commencing on July 28. The kanwar yatra is an annual pilgrimage by Lord Shiva’s devotees who carry pitchers to Ganga water for offering to shrines in Haridwar, Varanasi and other places. The yatra is taken out during the Hindu month of Shravan (July-August), considered auspicious by devotees. He said drone cameras and helicopters should be deployed to keep an eye on anti-social elements in the yatra.

The chief minister issued these directives while reviewing preparations for the kanwar yatra here on Wednesday. He asked the principal secretary, home, Arvind Kumar and director general of

police OP Singh to ensure that the station house officers held a meeting with the kanwar yatra committees and make them aware about the do’s and don’ts for the kanwariyas. He said handbills giving necessary information should be distributed at such meetings of the kanwar yatra committees. The CM said yatris

should be informed that firearms were banned and yatra should be carried out in a cordial atmosphere. He also asked the officers to launch a campaign to make the yatra plastic free. He said resting places should be developed for the kanwar yatris every five kilometres across the route. The yatra will end on August 26.HTC