Uttarakhand Police have taken major action against four Nepalese individuals after they were found carrying prohibited non-vegetarian food items as well as liquor into the Badrinath Dham area. This comes as part of the ongoing “Operation Prahar” initiative that is aimed at preserving the sanctity and religious decorum of the shrine.
Police personnel have been deployed to conduct intensive vehicle checks in the area as part of the security and inspection protocols in place around Badrinath Dham.
As part of the operation, police officials stopped a taxi travelling from Jyotirmath to Badrinath and conducted a search. Later on, they found out that the travellers were carrying more than 12 kg of chicken and fish packed in separate packets, as well as three bottles of liquor.
They seized the recovered material from the vehicle, since entry of such items remains strictly prohibited in the Dham area, IANS reported.
After being questioned, the four persons identified themselves as labourers residing in Nepal. After informing them about the restrictions applicable within the Badrinath Dham area, police later initiated legal proceedings against them under provisions of the Police Act.
The accused have been identified as Ghanshyam Damai, Manbahadur, Sandeep, and Dattakami, with all of them residents of Nepal.
Police officials said that carrying such materials into the Dham violates local rules, besides hurting the religious sentiments of devotees visiting the sacred site.
After due procedure, the recovered items – chicken, fish, and liquor – were disposed of by the authorities. Officials further noted that strict action will be taken against those found violating the rules governing the Badrinath Dham shrine.
Also, the Chamoli police noted that there would be no compromise when it comes to preserving the sanctity, dignity, and religious traditions of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
Notably, Badrinath Dham is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India and holds immense religious significance for millions of devotees around the world.