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Economic Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Varanasi witnesses 10 million pilgrims and no major incidents during Sravan
Synopsis During the holy month of Sravan, Varanasi welcomed approximately 10 million pilgrims, managed effectively by local authorities. Enhanced drone surveillance, crowd management systems, and increased medical assistance were implemented. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple area became a no-vehicle zone, and special arrangements were made due to rising Ganga water levels, ensuring a smooth experience for devotees. PTI Varanasi: Police personnel manages the crowd as people take a dip on the last 'somwar' of the holy month of 'Shravan', at Dashashwamedh Ghat, in Varanasi. (PTI Photo)(PTI08_04_2025_000088B) Varanasi: The holy month of Sravan that ended in parts of the country on Saturday witnessed around 10 million pilgrims visiting Varanasi, where the local administration and the police had made elaborate arrangements that helped them manage the crowds without any major incidents.'Around 150,000-200,000 pilgrims visited Varanasi every day (six days a week). On four Sravan Mondays, 600,000-700,000 devotees visited, and taking together Nag Panchami, the total number was almost a crore (10 million) in the last one month,' Varanasi police commissioner Mohit Agarwal told police and the local administration had enhanced the city's drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring, implemented special crowd management systems, and set up more medical assistance and police booths during the period to manage the influx of pilgrims to the holy city, which is also the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The number of pilgrims who visited Varanasi during the Sravan month last year was marginally lower compared with this year. However, during the Maha Kumbh, around 100 million people a month visited in January and February this year, which was a big challenge to handle, Agarwal said. The learnings from the time helped make arrangements during the Sravan month this time, he said. Police personnel were given special behavioural training to handle pilgrims with empathy, care and respect, Agarwal said. The entire area near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was turned to a no-vehicle zone for the first time and parking facilities have been earmarked outside the city periphery for big buses and vehicles, he added.'A control room was set up which was monitored by the commissioner of police, district magistrate divisional commissioner from the night ahead of Sravan Mondays, as the devotees started to assemble in large numbers and crowd flow was monitored,' Agarwal lanes of the four-lane highway from Prayagraj to Varanasi were dedicated for 'kanwaris' as they travelled to Varanasi. Kanwar Yatra, undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, or 'kanwaris', is one of the most prominent religious activities during the Sravan the last Monday of the month of Sravan, devotees gathered in large numbers in Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple. With water levels of the Ganga increasing above the danger level and most of the ghats getting submerged in the past few days, authorities had to make special arrangements this year, including to barricade the ghat, the police commissioner said.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Time of India
Respect & courtesy among directives to cops for KVT
1 2 Varanasi: With the commencement of the auspicious Shrawan month, the police administration has made necessary arrangements to manage the large influx of devotees at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Police commissioner Mohit Agarwal inspected the KVT complex on Thursday to review CCTV surveillance, anti-drone systems, rapid response units and personnel deployment. During the visit, he issued instructions for seamless security and services. Police have been given specific directives: Address devotees with respect as 'Sir' or 'Madam', follow a strict "no-touch" policy, maintain discipline, wear clean uniforms, refrain from using electronic devices and avoid taking photos with celebrities. For added security, plainclothes female officers have been deployed to safeguard women devotees. Special arrangements were also made for the elderly, differently-abled, and women. Additionally, the police strategically deployed CCTV surveillance, anti-drone systems, rapid response units, and guiding staff. Police officers have been directed to treat devotees with respect and courtesy, using polite language to make them feel valued. To ensure this, disciplinary action would be taken against any officer found guilty of misconduct. Additionally, officers underwent training in three batches by Mumbai experts to improve their behavior towards devotees. They have also been instructed to not bring vehicles into the no-vehicle zone, refrain from touching devotees without valid reason, especially women, carry ID and stay away from intoxication. Plainclothes female officers will be deployed to monitor the crowd. The temple complex's security arrangements have been reviewed, including functionality of CCTV cameras, anti-drone technology, monitoring of entry gates and rapid response unit's preparedness to tackle terrorist threats and suspicious activities. Police officers in the CCTV control room have been tasked with closely monitoring the crowd for anti-social elements and take swift action. To ensure smooth operations, instructions have also been given for better queue management and strategic deployment of guiding staff to control crowds during viewing times. Regular communication and coordination with temple staff were emphasized, along with periodic briefings for police officers on duty to keep them updated and aligned.
News18
02-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
UP Minister Refuses To Use Car Fitted With Unauthorised Beacon, Urges Cops To Issue Challan
Last Updated: The minister declined to use the government-assigned Innova car after finding it fitted with a beacon light without due authorisation. In an unusual incident, Uttar Pradesh minister Asim Arun on Monday refused to use a vehicle fitted with an unauthorised blue beacon during his visit to Varanasi. This was not it, he even reported the matter to the police and sought appropriate action and asked for a challan. The minister of state (independent charge) for social welfare, a former IPS officer, declined to use the government-assigned Innova car after finding it fitted with a beacon light without due authorisation. In a letter to Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal, the minister wrote, 'Please be informed that on the occasion of my arrival in Varanasi on June 30, a vehicle was arranged for my use. Since the vehicle was fitted with an unauthorised light, I did not use it." 'Please ensure that a challan is issued against this vehicle for violating the rules by using an unauthorised beacon," he added attaching the vehicle details and a photo, reported news agency PTI. Arun was in Varanasi to attend the Anusuchit Jaati evam Janjaati Swabhimaan Sammelan (SC/ST Dignity Conference), organised by the Uttar Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Committee at Kabir Inter College Ground, Bhullanpur, on the 94th birth anniversary of social worker Narendra Kumar Shastri. He also attended a meeting at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). First Published: July 02, 2025, 09:56 IST
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Varanasi gang-rape case: Can't be denied that the accused committed the crime, says SIT
VARANASI The special investigation team formed to find out the truth behind the allegations of a 19-year-old girl that she was raped by 23 people during seven days between March 29 and April 4 submitted its report on Thursday. Based on the findings of the investigation, it cannot be denied that the accused committed the crime, the team concluded. Investigation revealed that during the period of disappearance, the victim was seen coming and going independently and with some of the accused. (Pic for representation) 'Investigation found the presence of several accused with the victim at different places on different dates during the period of disappearance. In such serious cases, the Supreme Court and high court have given various important guidelines and decisions, emphasizing that the statement of the victim be given priority. In this context, as per the statement of the victim, and the facts found in the investigation, it cannot be denied that the accused committed the crime,' the SIT stated. Commissioner of police, Mohit Agarwal, confirmed that the SIT submitted the report. During the investigation by SIT, all the evidences were examined by compiling CDR of various persons, statements of witnesses, CCTV footage, Instagram IP logs of the victim, statement of the victim, statements of the accused and their family members. Investigation revealed that during the period of disappearance, the victim was seen coming and going independently and with some of the accused. Meanwhile, she was seen visiting a mall and Chausatti Ghat with her friends. During the period of alleged incident, the victim borrowed mobile phones from about 11 different persons and used them to log in to Instagram and also made calls to many people. When the victim was asked why she did not go home or tell anyone about the incident, she said that she was scared to go home, and due to fear and shame, she did not tell anyone about the incident, the SIT said. The victim's mother lodged a complaint with the police that her daughter went missing from the house on March 29. The police registered a missing complaint, and the girl was recovered from the house of her friend on April 4. The victim's mother alleged that her daughter was sexually assaulted by some people at different locations during her period of disappearance. Thereafter, the police registered a case and arrested 14 accused. Moreover, on April 17, kin of the accused submitted an application to the commissioner of police, demanding that an investigation be conducted in the matter. The commissioner constituted an SIT chaired by deputy commissioner of police, Varuna Zone, Pramod Kumar. The team completed the investigation and submitted a report.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Time of India
4 beat constables suspended for laxity during anti-encroachment drive
Varanasi: Four beat constables were suspended for negligence during a foot patrol and anti-encroachment campaign in the city area on Thursday. In view of upcoming festivals and traffic management, a foot patrol and anti-encroachment campaign were led by police commissioner Mohit Agarwal from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham area to Godowlia and Dashashwamedh Ghat. For negligence in the anti-encroachment campaign, suspension action was taken against four beat constables, including Yogendra Yadav, Pintu Saroj, Manoj Kumar, and Nitesh Kumar. The police authorities said that FIRs are being registered against shopkeepers and encroachers on roads and sidewalks, and actions are being taken during the campaign. More than 200 FIRs were registered against encroachers as part of the campaign. Legal action under the Goonda Act and Gangsters Act will be taken against those with more than two FIRs against them. Police personnel will also face suspension for negligence or irresponsibility. A strict monitoring system has been initiated for encroachment on roads and sidewalks. A constable is deployed every 100 metres and a sub-inspector every 500 metres to monitor and act against encroachment in their area. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Phát ngay Undo Station in-charges and police post in-charges will be directly responsible for preventing encroachment in their areas. Senior officers will conduct secret inspections of the area, and strict action will be ensured against any negligence or apathy found. tnn
