Prantiya Rakshak Dal deployed at Ganga ghats to curb rule violations
HARIDWAR: The Haridwar district administration has deployed Prantiya Rakshak Dal to check Covid inappropriate behaviour at Ganga ghats. This is in addition to routine police patrolling being done at Har-KiPauri.
In the past few weeks, apart from pilgrims violating social distancing norms, many anti-social elements have been spotted partying and dancing in an inebriated condition and hookah smoking at Ganga ghats. This has led to mass resentment among local priests, saints, pilgrims, devotees and local people.
Many incidents of local traders on their own catching and handing over to police tourists from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi region have surfaced since relaxation in interstate Covid curfew norms.
To rein in these elements from hurting sanctity of Ganga ghats and pilgrimage places, the district administration has deployed 75 Prantiya Rakshak Dal jawans , specifically at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahamkund, Har-Ki-Pauri, adjacent
Ganga ghats of Malviya , Subash and VIP ghats.
“Had convened a meeting of officials in this regard and was decided to deploy Prantiya Rakshak Dal personnel at Har-KiPauri and adjacent Ganga ghats . In two shifts, they will be carrying out their duty. From ensuring pilgrims-tourists adhere to covid behaviour, these personnel will also ensure no immoral activity is carried out at sacred Ganga ghats. They will politely sensitise and make aware the people arriving at Ganga ghats,” said additional district magistrate KK Mishra.
Prantiya Rakshak Dal volunteers help police in maintaining peace and security, and protection of public property.
The Ganga Sabha, which manages the affairs of Har-KiPauri, said additional deployment of Prantiya Rakshak Dal personnel definitely will ensure compliance of guidelines and proper behaviour.
Ganga Sabha president Pradeep Jha said recent incidents of birthday partying, dancing, hookah smoking, intoxication and violent behaviour by some people is condemnable as not only Har-Ki-Pauri but all Ganga ghats where devotees take Ganga dip and perform rituals are sacred
Jha also cautioned Ganga Sabha personnel and employees to also ensure they also act and carry out their duties in a dignified and polite manner so as to set an example for people arriving at Har-Ki-Pauri.