A Uttar Pradesh Police constable was injured after allegedly being assaulted while attempting to stop a clash between two groups of Kanwariyas during the annual Kanwar Yatra in Meerut in the early hours of Tuesday. The confrontation, which also left a few devotees with minor injuries, erupted following a road accident and was later brought under control by police. Videos purportedly showing the incident have since circulated widely on social media.

According to police, the clash occurred at around 3 am when a motorcycle carrying two Kanwariyas collided with another group of devotees returning from Haridwar after collecting holy Ganga water. What began as a verbal argument over the collision quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with members of both groups allegedly attacking one another. As tensions rose, police personnel stationed nearby rushed to the scene to prevent the situation from worsening.

Constable Dinesh Kumar was among the first officers to intervene but was allegedly pushed and assaulted by some of the Kanwariyas while trying to separate the groups. Police said one of the devotees struck Kumar on the head with a stick, causing injuries. Additional police personnel were immediately deployed to the area, following which the crowd was dispersed and the situation was brought under control. The injured constable received medical attention, while some devotees were also reported to have sustained minor injuries during the clash.

Also Read: School Van Attacked By Kanwariyas In Lucknow, Police File Case Against Three Men

Inspector Suman Singh later counselled members of both groups and warned them against engaging in violence or disrupting the pilgrimage. After the intervention, the devotees were allowed to resume their Kanwar Yatra. Police also seized two scooters and one motorcycle that had been abandoned at the scene as part of the preliminary investigation into the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the clash.

Several videos of the incident went viral on social media, purportedly showing a group of Kanwariyas dragging two men out of a police jeep before assaulting them with sticks. The footage also appeared to show a police officer attempting to intervene as the men were beaten and their clothes torn. In one clip, one of the men is seen trying to escape towards an open field before being chased by members of the crowd. The authenticity of the videos has not been independently verified, but police are expected to examine the footage as part of their investigation.

The Kanwar Yatra is one of north India's largest annual religious pilgrimages, drawing millions of devotees who travel to collect holy water from the Ganga and carry it to Shiva temples across several states. Given the massive participation, Uttar Pradesh Police and district authorities deploy extensive security arrangements, including traffic management, surveillance, and crowd-control measures, to ensure the pilgrimage proceeds peacefully. Officials have urged devotees to maintain discipline and cooperate with law enforcement, warning that any acts of violence or disruption during the yatra will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Also Read: SC Reviews Action Against SHO Over Ghaziabad Rape-Murder Case Investigation