Over 10,000 policewomen, QRT patrols, and digital measures: How UP prepares for a stress-free Kanwar Yatra

The Uttar Pradesh government has made large-scale arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra, especially for female devotees.

Over 10,000 women police personnel will be on duty along the entire route of the Yatra—the largest such deployment till date. This is in addition to the 66,000 policemen who have been pressed into action.

Some 6 crore devotees from various states are expected to take part in the Yatra this time. Of these, government estimates put the number of women devotees at 60-70 lakhs.

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For them, there will be 150 special help desks managed by women constables, who will not just deal with regular queries, but also with sensitive matters, providing counselling when required.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to strictly implement the women-centric security model.

The female security force includes 8,541 female head constables and 1,486 female sub-inspectors.

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Voluntary organisations have also been roped in to set up Shakti Help Booths.

An official note issued about the security arrangements said that it reflects the government's resolve that women could go anywhere in the state without fear.

Female police personnel will also be available on helpline numbers 24 hours a day. These numbers will be available in all 11 zones of the state.

The number of Quick Response Team (QRT) patrols has also been increased, with the presence of female personnel in these teams made mandatory. QRTs will be on the move every night to provide quick assistance.

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Among the main routes of the Kanwar Yatra, the most arrangements have been made in the Meerut region, that sees 3,200 women police personnel deployed. The districts they cover are Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Hapur and Ghaziabad.

The presence of so many policewomen will hopefully instill a sense of security in female devotees and make their journeys comfortable. This will be in addition to digital measures like drone surveillance, CCTV and social media monitoring, promising a stress-free yatra experience.  

India