Security Beefed Up In Haryana's Nuh Ahead Of Braj Mandal Yatra. Internet, SMS Services Suspended

Security has been ramped up across Haryana’s Nuh district ahead of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, set to take place on Monday. In anticipation of the religious event, authorities have rolled out strict precautionary measures, including a 24-hour suspension of internet services, a prohibition on carrying weapons, and restrictions on public gatherings, to ensure law and order is maintained.

The district administration, led by District Magistrate Vishram Kumar Meena, invoked Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, on Sunday, banning all weapons, licensed or otherwise, including firearms, swords, sticks, and tridents. Only the sheathed kirpan, worn by members of the Sikh community, has been exempted from the directive.

Haryana Government Suspended Mobile Internet

To curb the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content, mobile internet and bulk SMS services (excluding banking and recharge alerts) have been suspended from 9 PM on July 13 to 9 PM on July 14. The move, as per a statement from the State Home Department, is aimed at curbing rumours and potential mobilisation via social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and X.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar reviewed the ground-level security preparedness and directed civil and police officers to maintain strict coordination. PTI quoted,“No attention should be paid to any kind of rumours. Strict action should be taken against those spreading misinformation,” Kumar warned, adding that a social media monitoring cell has been activated to counter digital unrest, as quoted by PTI.

The yatra will see the deployment of nearly 2,500 police personnel, along with 14 DSPs, 28 security checkpoints, sniffer dogs, bomb squads, mounted police units, commandos, and four drones. Authorities have also installed 21 surveillance cameras to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the route.

The sale of petrol and diesel in open containers has been banned between 6 AM and 12 noon on Monday, and all schools (government and private) will remain shut across Nuh for the day. The use of loudspeakers or DJs with provocative content has been prohibited, and all meat shops along the Kanwar route have been ordered to close until July 24.

With sensitive checks in place and authorities on high alert, the district aims to ensure the religious event proceeds peacefully.

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