Jaipur: Rajasthan Police Thursday imposed sweeping restrictions on the annual kanwar yatra, banning tridents, lathis, hockey sticks, baseball bats, high-powered DJ systems and LPG cylinders, and mandating that the procession travel only through pre-approved routes.The curbs came into force Thursday and will remain in place till August 11. Police said the measures are intended to protect devotees, keep traffic moving and maintain law and order along yatra routes.The order, issued by the additional director general of police (law and order), directs that any last-minute request to change a route must be rejected and reported to senior officers.District authorities have been asked to identify sensitive locations and maintain heightened surveillance, especially in mixed-population areas. Police have also been told to closely monitor sound systems to ensure no songs, speeches or slogans are played that could inflame religious sentiments. Devotional songs and other audio content will be screened before permission is granted for processions.Police have directed all districts to prevent unregistered vehicles, makeshift “jugaad” vehicles and tractor-trolleys carrying kanwariyas. They have also been asked to ensure vehicles carrying pilgrims do not exceed seating capacity.The advisory bars consumption of alcohol and narcotic substances during the yatra, apart from prohibiting oversized loudspeakers on kanwar vehicles, trucks and tractor-trolleys.Authorities have also banned the carriage of LPG cylinders in pilgrimage vehicles, citing fire hazards and said oversized kanwars and tableaux that obstruct traffic on highways and major roads will be prohibited.The advisory, which follows a meeting between three states’ administrations– Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan — has also clarified that pedestrian and vehicular movement by kanwariyas on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will not be allowed.Devotees have been asked to carry valid identity proof, use only designated kanwar routes, report suspicious persons or unattended objects immediately, cooperate with security checks and maintain cordial relations with traders, local residents and fellow pilgrims.Field officers, meanwhile, have been directed to intensify anti-sabotage checks, vehicle inspections and surveillance on kanwar routes, highways and other sensitive locations, and to ensure that disputes involving pilgrims or local residents are resolved promptly.BoxFor safety & securityUnregistered and makeshift (’jugaad’) vehicles, and tractor-trolleys cannot be used to transport kanwariyasVehicles carrying pilgrims must not exceed their approved seating capacityKanwar processions must follow only pre-approved routes. Route changes will not be permittedPedestrian and vehicular movement by kanwariyas on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is not allowedDevotional songs and other audio content will be screened before permission is grantedDevotees should carry valid identity proof
