Police fine 321 tourists for nuisance on Ganga ghats
HARIDWAR : Police have fined 321 people and arrested 68 in Haridwar for creating nuisance at religious and tourist places under a special drive “Operation Maryada”.
Under the campaign, initiated by Uttarakhand Police chief Ashok Kumar, police have been patrolling Ganga ghats, tourist spots and temples.
The Operation Maryada was launched last month after dozens of people were found smoking hookah, partying and creating nuisance at Har-Ki-Pauri.
On Friday, police arrested 9 persons who were allegedly creating a nuisance.
The arrested pilgrims hail from Saharanpur, Panipat, Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Prdesh and Mahendragarh in Haryana.
City circle officer Abhay Pratap Singh said the drive has been effective to rein in anti-social elements who create nuisance and violate religious sanctity and dignity of religious places.
“A total of 321 people have been fined and 68 arrested from Ganga ghats,” said Pratap.
Ganga Sabha has lauded the Operation Maryada and urged police to continue it further so that everyone gets the message that no such nuisance or undignified act will be dealt with legally.
Ganga Sabha president Praveen Jha said through volunteers and public announcement system, they regularly urge pilgrims, tourists and visitors at Har-Ki-Pauri to adhere to decent behaviour and maintain sanctity of Ganga ghats.
Police have put restrictions on gatherings on Ganga ghats as a preventive measure against a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pndemmic.