Dehradun

On Thursday, Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar urged Gram Panchayats in Rudraprayag to refrain from erecting sign boards that ban entry for certain communities. This request follows reports of such boards appearing in Kedar Valley villages.

In an exclusive statement to source, DGP Kumar said, we have instructed the Gram Panchayats not to post any boards that discriminate against specific communities. He noted that the boards had been removed after police intervention.

Kumar explained that the issue stems from increased crime rates and tensions as more outsiders visit these small villages. It’s important to understand the local sentiment, he said. While there have been cases of crime and issues like ‘love jihad,’ the solution is not to target any particular group.

He emphasized that any restrictions on outsiders should follow legal procedures under the Panchayat Act. The police will assist in maintaining safety, ensuring no suspicious activity or harassment occurs. DGP Kumar also mentioned that Rudraprayag’s Superintendent of Police has been tasked with investigating the situation to address the community’s concerns appropriately.