ENTRY OF LOCALS, PILGRIMS BANNED AFTER SUNSET ON NEELKANTH ROUTE

The entry of local people and pilgrims on the Neelkanth shrine route in Pauri Garhwal district has been banned after sunset and armed forest personnel have been deployed for patrolling, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.

The development comes after a jeep driver on the way to the shrine was trampled to death by an elephant near Rishikesh on Tuesday.

According to the officials familiar with the matter, the incident occurred on Tuesday near Mauni Baba tri-intersection, when a Max Jeep driver Satendra Kumar (38), a resident of Bijnore in Uttar Pradesh, was attacked by an elephant.

The elephant pulled the driver out of his seat and trampled him, which resulted in his death. The vehicle was also damaged in the incident.

The officials further said, Satendra was caught off-guard by the elephant while he was waiting for the passengers in the vehicle.

“Satendra, who sustained injuries in the incident, was taken to AIIMS, Rishikesh, however, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment,” said Laxman Jhula police station in-charge Ravi Saini.

Meanwhile, taking cognizance of the incident, the forest department deployed 12-armed forest patrolling personnel on the footpath to Neelkanth shrine and the vehicular stretch leading to the shrine.

“After sunset, entry of pilgrims via the footpath has been prohibited as Maha Shivratri festive will draw thousands of devotees and security of devotees is of prime concern,” said Gauhri range forest officer Rajesh Joshi.

At least twelve armed forest patrolling personnel have been deputed to patrol the Neelkanth shrine route in the district. Forest personnel have also been deployed at the entry point of the hill bypass route,” Joshi added.