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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thakurs, Rajbhars say ‘no' to divisive politics
Varanasi: The Thakur and Rajbhar communities in Chhitauni village have jointly resolved to prevent external caste-based groups, organizations and political parties from entering the village to exploit the situation for their own agendas whether through protests or expressions. Members of both the groups, who clashed in Chhitauni village over a minor dispute on July 5, were convened by commissioner of police Mohit Agrawal and district magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Monday. In the presence of the officials, seniors of the groups discussed their issues and agreed not to organize any demonstration or gathering in Chhitauni. If anyone wished to meet the affected family, they could do so at the hospital individually or in groups of two, they said. The SIT has already started its investigation and if anyone wanted to produce any evidence related to the incident they could provide it directly to the SIT. Both the groups agreed to cancel all programmes planned for Tuesday and also agreed not to post provocative or hateful content on social media. Any objectionable or inflammatory posts made in recent days would also be removed immediately or legal action will be taken. The officials made it clear that as prohibitory orders under section 163 BNSS have been promulgated in the district, failure to comply will result in appropriate legal action.


Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SIT to probe Rajbhar-Thakur clash, SHO suspended
Varanasi: Police commissioner Mohit Agrawal suspended Chaubepur police station officer Ravikant Malik on Friday night for alleged negligence in the Chhitauni incident, which led to tension between members of Rajbhar and Thakur communities. He also formed SIT for impartial investigation of the case. Following clash between Rajbhars and Thakurs in Chhitauni, Karni Sena and Rajbhar groups of SBSP and BJP had come face to face. The matter was also brought to notice of the CM, chief secretary and DGP. The SIT is headed by ACP (law and order) Shivhari Meena and includes DCP Varuna, DCP Crime, ADCP Varuna, ACP Cantt, and the newly appointed Chaubepur police station in charge. Suspended Chaubepur police station officer Rakesh Kumar Gautam was replaced by inspector Yogendra Prasad, looking after Dial 112 service, while police stations of those in charge of Shivpur and Rajatalab were also changed. A clear directive was issued against laxity in kidnapping and caste conflict cases. On July 5, two groups in Chhitauni village under Chaubepur police station clashed over a stray cow that entered green field of Sanjay Singh. When he drove it out, the cow entered nearby fields of Chhotu Rajbhar, Bhole Rajbhar, Gulam Rajbhar and Surendra Rajbhar and there was an argument, followed by the groups attacking each other with sticks and swords. On Saturday, SBSP chief UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's son, Arvind Rajbhar, met chief secretary and DGP for investigation and appealed to people of his fraternity to maintain peace.


Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Prayagraj-KVD corridor opens for kanwariyas
Varanasi: A dedicated corridor between Prayagraj and Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi was created by reserving one lane of the Prayagraj-Varanasi national highway and internal roads of the city to facilitate movement of , with the auspicious month of Shrawan commencing on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After ensuring enforcement of traffic diversions and briefing the police and paramilitary forces deployed for Shrawan security and crowd regulation exercises, police commissioner Mohit Agrawal said on Thursday evening, "A dedicated corridor created for pilgrims from Prayagraj to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has been operationalised. Apart from reserving lanes of highways and other roads to create this corridor for safe movement of kanwariyas, we have set up a police outpost at a gap of every 5kms. " Security personnel, including quick response teams, will be present throughout the stretch. He added that in case of any problem or even health issues, kanwariyas and pilgrims will be allowed to halt at those outposts, where facility of first aid is available. "The entire route will be under CCTV surveillance, while drone cameras will also be used for monitoring crowd and movement in the corridor," he added. Around 2,000 police personnel have been deployed in and around Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Agrawal added that five companies of CRPF, seven companies of PAC and one team of ATS had been deployed. There is barricading in entire Kashi Vishwanath Dham and routes leading to it. "The area around the temple, from Rampura to Godowlia and Maidagin to Godowlia, has been designated as a no-vehicle zone," he said. Parking arrangements have been made in nearby areas for pilgrims, from 500 metres to 1.5km away. Agrawal said on Saturdays and Sundays, the crowd is bigger, while on Monday, queues are formed as early as 2 am, hence, extensive arrangements had been made to handle the crowd. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now CEO of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, said for residents of Kashi, temple administration had created a new route, Kashi Dwar, for accessing the temple to offer prayers between 4 am and 5 am and from 4 pm to 5 pm daily, except on Mondays during Shrawan. He made it very clear that 'Sparsh Darshan' (offering prayer by touching the deity) would not be available to anyone until the end of Shrawan and appealed to pilgrims and kanwariyas not to be misled by anyone promising to arrange it for them. The temple has made arrangements for live broadcasts of sanctum sanctorum's rituals on LED screens in Kashi Vishwanath Dham as well as at city crossings. Temple officials will stream rituals live on YouTube, allowing devotees worldwide to witness them. The CEO also appealed to devotees not to bring mobile phones, bags, pens, smartwatches, electronic devices, etc., into the temple. Due to crowds, free lockers and baggage counters will not be operational. Leave your belongings at a secure place like your home, hotel, or lodge was advisable. "Do not join the queue on an empty stomach, as it may affect your health and if anyone demands money for special access, inform the nearest police or temple staff," said Mishra.


Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
Shrawan woes: Kashi roads in shambles, kanwariyas to face hardships in city
1 2 Varanasi: Pilgrims and kanwariyas heading to Kashi during the auspicious month of Shrawan starting July 11 may face challenges due to the dismal condition of the route, particularly around Godowlia. The road between Girjaghar and Godowlia crossings is severely damaged, especially after the Ghodanala was affected during the ropeway project, and remains unrepaired, making it difficult even for pedestrians. Additionally, construction material for the ropeway structures has also kept the road occupied. To meet the challenge of crowd regulation, the police have planned to divert kanwariyas and other pilgrims towards Sonarpura, which will compel them to walk extra miles. The situation may worsen for kanwariyas coming from the Prayagraj side if it rains, as other routes will also pose challenges, compounding the difficulties. When TOI took stock of the area between Girjaghar and Godowlia crossings, through which about 60% of the total pilgrims and kanwariyas reach Kashi Vishwanath temple and Dashaswamedh Ghat during the holy month of Shrawan, shocking facts surfaced. The Girjaghar crossing is facing congestion due to the assembly of a steel structure and dumping of its parts in a disorganized manner. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors Ditching Expensive Health Cover for This Smarter Choice Health Insurance Comparison Learn More Undo Additionally, e-rickshaws are occupying the remaining space, causing difficulties for locals and pilgrims to walk comfortably. The Girjaghar-Godowlia road has become impassable due to damage to Ghodanala, with one lane completely blocked. The opposite lane is also in poor condition, leaving only a 2-meter-wide space for pedestrians. The road's condition has worsened over the past year due to ropeway project work, particularly with the piling for the last tower (T29). After piling 7 metres deep for the T29 tower construction, water seepage occurred on June 14, forcing a halt in earthworks. An evacuation order was issued for nearby buildings the next day. Now, UP Jal Nigam is investigating the source of the seepage, but repair work remains incomplete. When contacted, commissioner of police Mohit Agrawal explained how the crowd movement will be managed during the Shrawan month. He said, "We will divert kanwariyas and pilgrims coming via Rathyatra, Luxa and Naisadak towards Sonarpura to reach Godowlia via Jangambadi like it was done on the days of heavy crowding during Maha Kumbh. Diversions will also be ensured on other available routes." This diversion will add three to five kilometres extra to the journey of Kanwariyas and pilgrims, who walk on foot to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple. Despite all these ground realities, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar has not lost hope. He said, "We are making efforts to ensure that at least one lane of Girjaghar-Godowlia road becomes available for pedestrian movement by intensifying necessary repair works in the next seven days." The kanwariyas from the Prayagraj side, who opt for the Marhauli route to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple via Manduadih-Rathyatra, will have testing times in case of spells of heavy rainfall as it leaves many points between Mudaila and Manduadih waterlogged for a long time. The district administration could begin works of cleaning of choked drains on this route when barricading to reserve one for Kanwariyas movement had already been done. Before the officials could meet the challenges existing on the Mudaila-Manduadih road, a big portion of the airport road at Gilat Bazar crossing caved in. This crossing is the city's entry point for vehicles coming from Lucknow-Jaunpur. A large number of Kanwariyas also enter the city through this crossing.


Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Drones, CCTVs to monitor Muharram processions, Kanwar Yatras
Varanasi: Drone cameras and CCTV network will be used to maintain sharp vigil on Muharram processions and Kanwar Yatra to be taken out during Shravan, said Commissioner of Police Mohit Agrawal. While finalising the preparations to ensure law and order during the religious processions, the official instructed to prohibit initiating any new traditions and sought the participation of community members in conducting the religious rituals peacefully. In view of Muharram falling on July 6 and the beginning of the auspicious month of Shrawan, the CP and district magistrate Satyendra Kumar held a meeting with the peace committee, Tazia procession organisers, Kanwariya camp operators, religious leaders, and prominent community members on Saturday evening. They issued guidelines for observing the rituals in a harmonious environment, maintaining peace, and ensuring security arrangements. For proper monitoring of the Tazia processions and the Kanwar Yatra, the CP mentioned that, apart from the deployment of police and paramilitary forces, drones and CCTV cameras will also be utilised for proper surveillance, especially in sensitive areas. No new traditions will be introduced, and all processions will follow the traditional routes. Provocative slogans, weapons, and inflammatory activities are strictly prohibited in Tazia or other religious processions and violations of the norms would lead to strict action. The CP asked the organisers to appoint 20 volunteers at each Tazia Chowk after their police verification for crowd control and maintaining discipline. Special arrangements will be made for the convenience and safety of the devotees in temples during the Shravan month. Officials have asked to keep the sound levels of DJs and drums during Kanwar Yatras within the prescribed decibels. Obscene, provocative, or film songs will be banned during the processions and the height of chariots and DJ vehicles should not exceed the prescribed limit, said the official. Officials said that continuous monitoring of social media will also be ensured, while Quick Response Teams (QRT) will be deployed at any sensitive location, and the police will keep a close watch on anti-social elements. Earlier, Additional Police Commissioner Shivhari Mina and the DM inspected Markandeya Mahadev Temple on the Ganga-Gomati confluence in the Kaithi area and Kanwar Yatra routes. After taking stock of the temple and areas in its vicinity, they held a meeting with the temple's chief priest to discuss essential arrangements and reviewed the local administration's preparations. The entrance and exit routes of the temple, queue management for devotees, and the status of barricading from a security perspective were observed. The officials also reviewed preparations for maintaining cleanliness, security, roads, ghats, and drinking water arrangements. The concerned departments were directed to ensure deep water barricading, jetty installation, changing rooms, mobile toilets, and drinking water tankers at the ghats to prevent drowning.