Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar has initiated an investigation following reports of several villages in the Kedar Valley of Rudraprayag district—such as Nyalsu, Shersi, Rampur Fata, and Ravigram—posting signs that restrict entry to 'outsiders.'
Originally, the signs specified 'non-Muslims, Rohingya Muslims, and hawkers' as prohibited, but were modified to 'outsiders' after police began removing them on Saturday.
"Upon learning about the incident a few days ago, I instructed the SP of Rudraprayag to look into the matter. Villagers should address any concerns about safety or security through proper channels. If they are taking independent actions, these should not be discriminatory. Local police have been directed to engage with the villagers and resolve the issue according to the law," DGP Kumar told TOI.
Kumar also indicated that the police will review the gram sabhas' authority in regulating the movement of individuals within villages.
"Maintaining law and order is crucial. However, the safety and security of small hill settlements and villages are also high on our agenda," he added.
Pramod Singh, the head of Rampur Fata, one of the villages where the boards were displayed, explained that the signs were intended to "ensure the safety and security of women and children while the men are away working in Kedarnath during the yatra season."
"The men return only after the season ends, leaving women and children vulnerable to crime. Recently, many unidentified hawkers have entered the village. The purpose of the boards is to ensure these individuals are properly verified both from their hometowns and by local police," Singh elaborated.
(With inputs from TOI)
Originally, the signs specified 'non-Muslims, Rohingya Muslims, and hawkers' as prohibited, but were modified to 'outsiders' after police began removing them on Saturday.
"Upon learning about the incident a few days ago, I instructed the SP of Rudraprayag to look into the matter. Villagers should address any concerns about safety or security through proper channels. If they are taking independent actions, these should not be discriminatory. Local police have been directed to engage with the villagers and resolve the issue according to the law," DGP Kumar told TOI.
Kumar also indicated that the police will review the gram sabhas' authority in regulating the movement of individuals within villages.
"Maintaining law and order is crucial. However, the safety and security of small hill settlements and villages are also high on our agenda," he added.
Pramod Singh, the head of Rampur Fata, one of the villages where the boards were displayed, explained that the signs were intended to "ensure the safety and security of women and children while the men are away working in Kedarnath during the yatra season."
"The men return only after the season ends, leaving women and children vulnerable to crime. Recently, many unidentified hawkers have entered the village. The purpose of the boards is to ensure these individuals are properly verified both from their hometowns and by local police," Singh elaborated.
(With inputs from TOI)
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