GURGAON: Three years after communal violence erupted during the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh, the Haryana administration has put in place an extensive security and traffic management plan for this year’s pilgrimage, with around 2,000 police personnel, 13 DSPs, reserve forces and duty magistrates deployed to ensure the event passes off peacefully.The annual yatra, scheduled for August 3, the first Monday of Sawan, comes against the backdrop of the July 31, 2023 violence, when mobs attacked participants of the procession in Nuh, triggering communal clashes that later spread to Gurgaon, Faridabad and Palwal.Six people were killed in the violence, while dozens were injured.Ahead of the pilgrimage, IG (South Range) O.P. Narwal, Deputy Commissioner Akhil Pilani and SP Arpit Jain led a flag march on Sunday along the yatra route from Nalhadeshwar Temple in Nuh to Jhirkeshwar Temple in Firozpur Jhirka and Singeshwar Temple in Singar, Punhana, to review security arrangements and reassure residents.“We have made extensive security arrangements and no unruly element will be allowed to disturb law and order during the yatra,” Narwal said, adding that about 2,000 police personnel and 13 deputy superintendents of police have been deployed across the district.Additional forces have been kept on standby in Rewari and neighbouring districts and will be rushed in if required.Deputy Commissioner Akhil Pilani said the district administration had completed all preparations for the pilgrimage.Nineteen duty magistrates have been deployed, while eight more have been kept in reserve.He said no decision had been taken to suspend internet services, but meat shops along the yatra route would remain closed during the event.Pilani said drinking water facilities had been arranged along the route and several social and religious organisations would welcome pilgrims at different locations.A control room and helpline (01267-274610) has also been set up at the Mini Secretariat to assist pilgrims and residents.The administration said efforts have been made to ensure that daily life and essential services remain unaffected while facilitating the movement of pilgrims.Police have also issued a detailed traffic advisory, diverting heavy vehicles away from Nuh on Sunday.Trucks travelling between Alwar, Sohna, Gurgaon, Tauru, Palwal, Hodal, Aligarh and Jaipur have been advised to use alternative routes, primarily via the Mumbai Expressway, KMP Expressway and Rewasan, while heavy vehicles bound for Nuh have been asked to enter the district only after the yatra concludes.The 2023 violence led to one of Haryana’s biggest communal flare-ups in recent years.Nuh police registered over 60 FIRs and arrested over 350 accused in connection with the riots.Several high-profile cases, including those registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), remain under trial.Congress MLA Mamman Khan, who was arrested in September 2023 after being named in multiple riot-related FIRs, was later granted bail.Investigations in several major riot cases, including those related to the deaths of homeguards, the killing of a Panipat resident and the attack on the Nuh cyber police station, are still before the courts.Haryana police have put many people on House Arrest including Bittu Bajrangi of Faridabad who was named in the Nuh Violence FIR.The administration has also imposed temporary restrictions on the open sale of petrol and diesel as part of the security measures.Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Akhil Pilani issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), banning the sale of petrol and diesel in bottles, cans or any other containers from 6 am on August 1 till midnight on August 3 to prevent any misuse during the yatra.However, diesel supply for generators powering mobile towers and other essential public utility services has been exempted to ensure uninterrupted services.The administration has also operationalised a dedicated helpline (01267-274610) at the City Magistrate’s office for pilgrims and residents, while duty magistrates have been deployed across the yatra route to monitor law and order, traffic and emergency response throughout the event.
