Attempt to communalise Kanwar Yatra averted, agencies digging deep

The Bijnor Police have foiled an attempt to communalise the Kanwar Yatra, which is in full swing across the country. A day before the arrival of the procession, which was slated to pass through District Bijnore from the western side, two youths disguised as Kanwaars ransacked three Mazars (holy shrine of Muslims), namely Jalal Shah, Bhure Shah, and Qutub Shah Mazar on Sunday, 24 July. The Mazaar were located in precincts of the Sherkot Police Area.

The duo brothers, who were identified as Mohammad Kamal, 35 and Mohammad Aadil, 23, were caught fleeing on a motorbike and arrested. They admitted to having ransacked the Mazar, burning cloth but not destroying religious texts.

The District Administration in Bijnor immediately swung into action by arresting the culprits and monitoring social media to contain communal disharmony. The Intelligence Bureau and Anti-Terror squad are now investigating if a larger organisation is behind the conspirators.

Earlier on 19 July, the Range Police officials along with the District Administration had visited the concerned police station and instructed a barbed wire fence around the perimeter. They had also suggested the plantation of saplings.

With all its religious fervour post-Covid, the Kanwar Yatra procession recently crossed the 1.25 crore mark, posing challenges from controlling the procession, to allowing smooth passage of the devotees and overseeing arrangements for their food, shelter, and medical needs. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath passed orders to the administrative machinery relating to yatra.