Drones, social media monitoring: How Nuh administration is gearing up for Jalabhishek Yatra

The yatra will start at Nuh’s Nalhar temple, proceed to Ferozepur Jhirka’s Jhir mandir, and end at Singar. The entire route will witness heavy deployment of police.

Nuh Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata said three drones have been deployed. “Around 1,600 police officers will be deployed on the day of the yatra and one company of RAF (Rapid Action Force) and IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion) are also in place in case of an exigency,” he said.

“The enforcement is ready and we have inspected two temples. We spoke with the local officers, temple committees, and many other groups,” said Vijay Pratap, Superintendent of Police (SP), Nuh.

Administration officials said permission has been granted for the procession. “We have informed the members of the procession not to bring weapons. Loudspeakers and DJs will also not be allowed during the event. We appeal to the locals that the brotherhood Nuh is known for be maintained and strengthened in the coming days,” the SP added.

Meanwhile, Gurgaon South DCP Sidhant Jain said that a social media cell comprising four officers has specifically been asked to monitor content posted online to flag any incendiary posts and take necessary action. “We have also appealed to the people in the area not to participate in the procession and to pray at their local temples. However, no restriction has been placed on any community in Gurgaon,” he added.

Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed said that he has conveyed his apprehensions to the administration. “We had informed them of these matters last year as well, but the administration looked the other way. The yatra should be taken out as a religious event and not to provoke anyone,” he said. Ahmed said that he has appealed to the people in his constituency not to get triggered by social media posts.

DC Khadgata said, “We have 100 volunteers who will help police with the coordination of the movement along the yatra. Thorough checking will be in place to crack down on contraband or any weapon.”

The DC further said that people from both communities have come forward to set up stalls to welcome the yatris. “They will have stalls in 20 different places along the yatra route. Police have chalked up the route map and they will deploy officials accordingly,” he said.

Earlier this month, police had filed FIR against two persons, a minor and a lawyer, ahead of the yatra.