Shobha yatra: Nuh wears deserted look amid tight security; 15 seers, right-wing group leaders pray at Nalhar temple

Tribune News Service

Geetanjali Gayatri

Nuh, August 28

The Nuh administration on Monday allowed 15 seers and leaders of right-wing groups to offer prayers at the Shiv temple in Nalhar area of this district in Haryana which has been turned into a fortress in view of the Sarv Jatiya Hindu Mahapanchayat's call for a 'shobha yatra'.

Authorities have denied permission for the yatra on Monday in the aftermath of the communal clashes on July 31. However, the locals have been allowed to offer prayers in the temples in their neighbourhood on the last Monday of the holy month of Shravan.

Heavy security arrangements have been put in place in view of the call for the yatra and some seers heading towards Nuh were stopped at Gurugram, police officials said.

Five major checkpoints have been set up from the Delhi-Gurugram border until Nuh with media vehicles not being allowed to go beyond the third checkpoint.

According to officials, the vehicle of Hindu seer Jagatguru Paramhans Acharya from Ayodhya was stopped at the Ghamorj toll plaza near Sohna.

Acharya told reporters that he and his followers were carrying the water of the Saryu river and the soil of Ayodhya for the 'jalabhishek' at Nalhar temple but were stopped by the police. In protest, he sat on a hunger strike near the toll plaza.

Nuh Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata said around 15 seers and leaders of some Hindutva outfits had been allowed to visit the Shiv temple in Nalhar and they would perform 'jalabhishek' there. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Dharm Dev and Swami Parmanand were among the group allowed to visit the temple.

After offering prayers at the Nalhar temple, the group accompanied by some locals left for the Jhir temple at Firozpur Jhirka.

Bajrang Dal's Gurugram district convener Praveen Hindustani said a limited number of people took part in the 'yatra' and they had now left for Jhir temple in a bus amid tight security. With PTI

12:47 28 Aug

Jalabhishek allowed, not yatra, says ADGP

Nearly 60 people, administration says mostly locals, were allowed to go to the temple.

ADGP Mamta Singh says the yatra was disallowed, not the jalabhishek. “So three VHP members, including its president Alok Kumar, were allowed. The rest are locals. He wanted to do jalabhishek, which was allowed.”

They were asked to park vehicles at Nuh police lines and to get into buses and were taken to the temple; they would be dropped there, Mamta Singh said.

11:21 28 Aug

Police escort around 60 people to Nalhar

Police escort around 60 people in vehicles – one minibus and two Tempo Travellers - to Nalhar.

11:13 28 Aug

Only 50 people to be allowed, say sources

Sources say 50 people to be allowed in the yatra. They will visit all three temples--Nalhar, Firozpur Jhirka and Punhana. Meanwhile, devotees continued to trickle in at Nalkar. Exhaustive checking on. All visitors required to submit details. Three check points established just before the temple. RAF company stationed along the road.

10:20 28 Aug

57 duty magistrates deployed

Nuh Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata has deputed 57 duty magistrates at designated places in the wake of the call for the 'shobha yatra'.

10:18 28 Aug

All entry points to Nuh sealed

All entry points to Nuh have been sealed and the road leading to the Nalhar temple has also been closed.

10:17 28 Aug

Anti-riot vehicles and drones deployed

Anti-riot vehicles and drones have also been deployed.

10:16 28 Aug

Haryana Police personnel and paramilitary forces deployed

Outsiders have been barred from entering Nuh with security personnel being deployed at all the entry points of the district. Haryana Police personnel and paramilitary forces have been deployed to keep a strict vigil. Security has been tightened at inter-state and inter-district borders. Multiple layers of barricades have been erected by police at various points and all vehicles entering Nuh were thoroughly checked by security personnel.

According to police, 1,900 Haryana Police personnel and 24 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed.

09:39 28 Aug

Nuh wears a deserted look

Nuh wears a deserted look as nobody is seen outside.

09:38 28 Aug

Outside Gurugram city, commuters being turned back

Outside Gurugram city, commuters are being turned back. Police are noting phone numbers of those being allowed beyond Sohna. Cop are carrying out thorough checks of vehicles before allowing them to proceed between Gurugram and Sohna. Buses, dumpers and trucks being used to create barricading every few kilometres.

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