Rudraprayag: With the sacred Shri Kedarnath Yatra underway, the Rudraprayag Police have stepped up action against the trafficking of liquor and narcotics, tightening surveillance to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage, officials said.
Dedicated security teams stationed along the yatra route have been keeping a close watch to stop smuggling and related illegal activity, they added.
Speaking to ANI, Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police (SP) Niharika Tomar said, “To uphold the sanctity and dignity of the pilgrimage to Kailasa Dham, we constituted teams in Rudraprayag district to take continuous action against illicit liquor and narcotics.”
“So far, we have registered approximately 53 cases under the Excise Act and arrested 58 individuals. We have seized around 2,000 litres of liquor and five litres of illicit country-made liquor. Additionally, 15 vehicles have been impounded, with the estimated value of the seized illicit liquor being around Rs 12 lakh,” SP Tomar said.
This besides, enforcement under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has also been intensified.
“We have registered five cases under the NDPS Act, one of which involves a commercial quantity of contraband. In these operations, we have seized 1 kg 838 grams of charas and 15 grams of smack, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 6,34,000. We are maintaining constant vigilance, and enforcement actions are ongoing,” she added.
Police said the operation against the illegal drug and liquor network would continue throughout the pilgrimage to ensure the Kedarnath Yatra remains safe and spiritually untainted.
Continuous Downpour Triggers Landslide Fears
Meanwhile, persistent heavy rainfall in Rudraprayag district has heightened the threat of landslides in several parts of the region.
Near Agastyamuni, residents have been alarmed by widening cracks on a hillside above a road that connects surrounding villages.
Several vulnerable stretches have also turned active along the Kedarnath and Badrinath National Highways, along with multiple other roads in the district, creating difficulties for pilgrims and local commuters alike.
Given the prevailing weather, the district administration has advised pilgrims to stay cautious and strictly follow all safety advisories during the journey.