Internet Services Suspended In Nuh Ahead Of Brij Mandal Yatra

The Haryana government has suspended internet and SMS services for the next 24 hours in the Nuh district. This move comes as a safety measure taken ahead of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, where two years ago, violent communal clashes had broken out.

All government and private schools in the district will remain shut for the day, police officials told news agency PTI, adding that around 2,500 police personnel will be deployed in the area. The use of DJs, loudspeakers or sound-amplifying devices with content that is religiously provocative or hurts the sentiments of any community will also be strictly prohibited during the yatra, the state order read.

The order issued by Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said, "In the interest of student safety and convenience, all government and private schools in the Nuh district will remain closed on Monday, July 14. The District Education Officer has been directed to ensure compliance with the orders.’’ 

PTI reports, Meena on Sunday issued an order under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, banning the carrying of all weapons, including licensed arms, firearms, swords, sticks, tridents, rods, knives and chains. Only the sheathed kirpan, worn as a religious symbol by members of the Sikh community, has been exempted.

According to the Hindustan Times, a ban on the sale, display or public hanging of non-vegetarian food such as meat, fish, etc., along the yatra route has been imposed.

Meena said, “The ban will be effective from six AM to midnight, covering the route from Nalhad Mahadev Temple to Zhirkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Ferozepur Jhirka and the Singar Temple in Singar village,” and that a similar order had been issued for shops and eateries around religious sites.

These heightened security measures have been implemented due to the clashes and violence around the same yatra two years ago.

In 2023, violence had broken out during the yatra, when a Vishwa Hindu Parishad procession was attacked by a mob. The attack resulted in the deaths of five people, including two home guards. Furthermore, in Gurugram, a man was killed at a mosque amid a series of incidents of arson. The communal clashes in Nuh also led to at least 200 reported injuries.