Kanwariyas Assault Mentally Unstable Man; Road Accident Claims One Pilgrim’s Life

A mentally unstable man was assaulted by Kanwariyas at Meenakshi Chowk, Muzaffarnagar. While the police intervened, the individual was injured and is under observation. The incident comes as another Kanwar Yatra pilgrim was killed in a road accident. Meanwhile, preparations for Kanwar Yatra camps in Delhi are in full swing.

A group of Kanwariyas allegedly assaulted a mentally unstable man at the Kanwar camp at Meenakshi Chowk in Muzaffarnagar, as reported by an official on Thursday. According to City Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapati, the man had waved a stick towards a Kanwariya, prompting the group to beat him up.

'A mentally unstable person had arrived at the Kanwar camp at Meenakshi Chowk with a stick in his hand and waved it towards a Kanwariya. In response, the Kanwariyas beat him and subsequently chased him when he tried to escape,' stated the official. The SP added that police on site intervened to save the man and provided him with first aid.

'The victim has been given first aid and is under observation. The situation is under control,' added the SP. Investigations are ongoing. In a related incident, a Kanwar Yatra pilgrim died, and another was injured in a road accident in Ratanpuri on Wednesday. Three devotees were resting by the roadside when a speeding bike struck one, resulting in his death.

Aam Aadmi Party Minister Atishi inspected Kanwar Yatra camps in Delhi on Wednesday, ensuring adequate preparations including waterproof tents and necessary amenities. 'We are ready to welcome the Kanwar pilgrims,' she said. With the onset of monsoon, devotees have officially begun their Kanwar Yatra, offering prayers at various temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Pilgrims have arrived in Haridwar to collect holy Gangajal. Temples like Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Kali Paltan in Meerut, and Jharkhandi Mahadev in Gorakhpur, witnessed significant devotee gatherings. The month of Sawan, falling between July and August, is considered sacred by Hindus for devotion to Lord Shiva.