
Key Points
- The annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage is underway, drawing huge crowds to Shiva temples across India.
- A video from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, shows Kanwariyas violently assaulting a CRPF jawan at the local railway station.
- The clash reportedly erupted over a dispute at the ticket counter for travel to Baidyanath Dham during the peak Sawan season.
- Railway Police Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) rushed to intervene, rescuing the jawan and restoring order.
- An FIR has been registered against three Kanwariyas involved in the incident. The video triggered widespread condemnation on social media.
Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh: As devotees across India undertake the holy Kanwar Yatra during the month of Sawan, an alarming incident of violence has emerged from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. A disturbing video, now viral on social media, shows a group of Kanwariyas brutally assaulting a CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) jawan inside Mirzapur railway station, raising concerns about law and order and the safety of security personnel during religious gatherings.
What Happened at the Station?
According to officials, the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday during a heavy rush of Kanwariyas devotees carrying holy water boarding trains bound for Baidyanath Dham, a major pilgrimage site. Trouble started when a group of Kanwariyas queued up at the ticket counter for the Brahmaputra Mail. CRPF Jawan Gautam Kumar also reached the counter around the same time. A dispute over who was first in line quickly escalated.
Eyewitnesses report that after a brief verbal altercation, matters spiraled as several Kanwariyas began to physically assault the jawan, knocking him to the ground and kicking and punching him. The incident caused panic at the ticket counter and sent shockwaves through the station premises, with other passengers scrambling for safety.
Immediate Police Response
As soon as Railway Police Force (RPF) Assistant Sub Inspector Pradeep Kumar Pal and GRP Inspector-in-Charge received alerts, they rushed to the crowded station along with additional personnel. They intervened swiftly, rescuing the jawan from further harm and dispersing the crowd. The injured CRPF jawan was taken for medical attention.
Legal Action and Public Outrage
Following preliminary inquiries and review of CCTV/video footage, the Railway Police registered an FIR against three Kanwariyas identified from the video. Law enforcement officials emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for violence, especially during large religious gatherings.
The video continues to circulate online, prompting public condemnation and calls for stricter crowd management and protection for security personnel during the annual yatra.
Context: Kanwar Yatra Security Challenges
With millions undertaking the Kanwar Yatra each year, police and local administrations across India face mounting challenges in crowd control, transport logistics, and maintaining peace. Experts argue more robust security protocols and behavioral awareness drives are urgently needed, especially at high-traffic public facilities like railway stations.