Mazar in Nuh damaged ahead of 'jalabhishek' yatra

Nuh (Haryana), Jul 14 (PTI) A mazar was damaged ahead of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek yatra in Nuh's Tauru town, police said on Monday as security was ramped up in the district to ensure there is no repeat of the clashes that broke out during the religious procession two years ago.

The culprits behind the vandalism on Sunday night are unidentified, officials said. After the incident, a large number of police personnel have been deployed at the mazar in Tauru's Sainipura mohalla.

"Necessary action is being taken by the administration in connection with the damage to the mazar in Tauru. It will be ensured that the Jalabhishek yatra is organised in a peaceful and harmonious environment in the district," said Nuh Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena.

He said all officials have been instructed to make all necessary arrangements in their areas. Duty magistrates and police officers have been deployed at all places. Devotees are going to temples to perform their prayers. The yatra will start from the Nalheshwar temple in Nuh, about 50 km from Gurugram.

"There is an atmosphere of peace in all areas. The general public is appealed to trust only official information," Meena said.

On July 31, 2023, six people, including two home guards and a cleric of a Gurugram mosque, were killed in clashes that erupted when a mob attacked a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession in Nuh.

To ensure that all goes well this year, around 2,500 police personnel have been deployed. All government and private schools in the district are closed and internet services suspended.

The carrying of all weapons, including licensed arms, firearms, swords, sticks, tridents, rods, knives and chains, have been banned. Only the sheathed kirpan, worn as a religious symbol by members of the Sikh community, has been exempted.

The use of DJs, loudspeakers or sound-amplifying devices with content that is religiously provocative or hurts the sentiments of any community are also strictly prohibited during the yatra, the order read.

The district administration has also banned the sale of meat along the yatra route starting Sunday. Meat shops along the Kanwar route are to remain closed till July 24.

The Haryana government on Sunday ordered the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in Nuh district for 24 hours -- from 9 pm on July 13 to 9 pm on July 14. PTI COR MIN MIN