A group of Kanwariyas allegedly attacked a school van carrying children in Lucknow’s Chowk area on Monday morning, leading to concern among parents and prompting demands for strict action against those responsible. Police have initiated an investigation and registered a case against three unidentified individuals in connection with the alleged stone-pelting incident. The incident took place in the Kamad area under the Chowk police station limits when a Maruti van carrying students of Emma Thompson School, Lalbagh, was passing through the locality.

According to the complaint submitted by the families of the students, a small group of Kanwariyas allegedly stopped the vehicle and threw stones at its windshield and windows. The attack reportedly damaged parts of the school van, though no child inside the vehicle sustained physical injuries. However, parents said the students were frightened and emotionally disturbed after witnessing the incident. They expressed concern that the situation could have resulted in serious injuries had the stones hit the children.

Satendra Dwivedi, a parent of one of the students, said the children were safe but deeply affected by the incident. He added that the families approached the Chowk police station seeking immediate action, identification of the accused and strict legal proceedings against those involved. “We have filed a complaint at the Chowk police station to register an FIR, identify the accused using CCTV footage and viral videos, and take stringent legal action,” Dwivedi said.

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The exact reason behind the alleged attack remains unclear. Police officials have not confirmed whether there was any dispute or misunderstanding between the Kanwariyas and the school van driver before the incident. Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the area and videos circulating on social media to establish the sequence of events. Chowk police station officials said an investigation was underway to identify the accused. Station house officer Nagesh Upadhyay described the incident as a “small matter” but did not provide a detailed explanation when questioned about the delay in registering the FIR.

Following the complaint by the parents, police registered a case against three unidentified persons. Officials are expected to question witnesses and analyse available evidence before taking further legal action against those found involved in the alleged vandalism. The incident has sparked concerns over the safety of schoolchildren during periods when large religious processions take place on city roads. Parents have urged authorities to ensure better coordination between law enforcement agencies and organisers of public gatherings to prevent similar incidents.

Kanwariya pilgrims undertake annual religious journeys during the month of Shravan, travelling across several states to collect holy water from rivers and offer it at Shiva temples. Due to the large number of devotees participating in these processions, local administrations often make special arrangements for traffic management and security. In recent years, authorities in several states have increased monitoring during the Kanwar Yatra period to prevent clashes, maintain public order and ensure the safety of both pilgrims and residents.

Police personnel are deployed along major routes, while CCTV surveillance and traffic restrictions are used in sensitive areas. In the Lucknow incident, police are continuing their probe to determine the circumstances that led to the alleged attack on the school vehicle. The identification of the accused and further action will depend on evidence collected during the investigation. Parents of the students have requested swift action, saying that incidents involving vehicles carrying children require serious attention. The police response and the outcome of the investigation will determine the next steps in the case.

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