UP Police ban Kanwariyas from carrying trishuls, hockey sticks during yatra

In the wake of multiple incidents of vandalism and harassment, Uttar Pradesh Police has banned kanwariyas from carrying sticks, tridents (trishuls), hockey sticks, and similar items during the kanwar yatra, The Times of India reported.

The prohibition applies across major districts on the pilgrimage route, including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Hapur, and Baghpat. Authorities have also disallowed the use of motorbikes without silencers in a bid to reduce noise pollution and prevent public nuisance.

The move comes after several episodes involving kanwariyas in both UP and Uttarakhand, where the pilgrims travel to Haridwar to collect holy Ganga water.

Police officials have made it clear that even symbolic displays of weapons will not be tolerated. “The government has issued clear directives prohibiting it. We are enforcing these strictly, and FIRs are being registered against violators,” ADG (Meerut Zone) Bhanu Bhaskar told TOI.

The crackdown follows a series of violent altercations this year along the yatra route, prompting stricter enforcement measures.