Police were deployed to Muradnagar town after a car hit Kanwariya. (Image source: PTI/Representative)
The Kanwariyas also blocked a stretch of the Delhi-Meerut highway and beat up the driver who hit them.
Police intensified in parts of Ghaziabad district after a car allegedly hit some Kanwariyas in Murad Nagar, following which the Kanwariyas beat up the driver and vandalized the vehicle, an official said on Sunday safety precautions and additional traffic restrictions implemented.
The official said the Kanwariyas later blocked a section of the Delhi-Meerut highway where the incident took place and triggered a riot that led to traffic jams.
Two companies of the Provincial Armed Police (PAC) have been deployed at the Ganga Canal Bridge in Murad Nagar town near Rawalli Road, while security has also been stepped up in other parts of the district in view of the sensitive situation following the incident. Ghaziabad Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra.
The incident took place near Rawalli Road in Murad Nagar on Saturday when the car hit some kanwariyas and the 'kanwar' (pot) carried by one of them was allegedly broken. He said the angry Kanwariyas then dragged the driver out of the vehicle and beat him.
They also allegedly damaged the car and overturned it, Mishra said.
The owner of the car, named Naubahar Singh (40), a native of Murad Nagar, was also in the car at the time of the accident. The officer said the driver was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road while intoxicated.
Kanwariyas also blocked the Delhi-Meerut highway, causing traffic chaos. Traffic resumed after the police pacified the Kanwariyas and provided them with holy Ganga water stored in the police station.
“Arrangements have been made to prevent vehicular entry at every entry point from Modi Nagar Kaderabad village to Ghaziabad district, Meerut Road Trinoid, Mohan Nagar, Loni Road, Link Road, the road from the upper Delhi border up to Dilshad Bagh.
“To ensure this traffic plan, the civil police and traffic police will be on high alert. At the exits of the mixed population, volunteers from civil society in the area will assist the police and report any adverse activities in the area.
Mishra also said that all schools and institutions in Ghaziabad district will remain closed from July 29 to August 2 as the movement of Kanwariyas is expected to increase and therefore buses and The vehicle is driving on the road.
Kanwar Yatra will conclude with the observance of Sawan Shivratri on August 2, where Kanwariyas will perform 'jalabhishek' by offering holy water to Lord Shiva.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from United News Agency-PTI)
