Violence Erupts Among Kanwariyas in Meerut Following Minor Collision
Incident Overview
On Monday, a minor collision between two motorcyclists on National Highway 58 (NH-58) in Meerut escalated into a significant altercation. The situation quickly intensified as two groups of Kanwariyas clashed, resulting in a violent exchange of blows and the use of sticks. A video capturing the incident has gone viral on social media, leading to heightened tensions in the area. Footage shows one group attacking a young man near a police vehicle, subjecting him to slaps and kicks.
Police Response
In response to claims circulating online about Kanwariyas allegedly assaulting police officers, the Meerut police issued a statement on the microblogging platform X, denying these allegations. They clarified that the young man named Sonu was involved in a collision with a Kanwariya's motorcycle while returning from Haridwar, which sparked the dispute. The police have conducted a medical examination of the involved individual and are pursuing legal action.
Details from Local Authorities
According to SP City Vinayak Gopal Bhosale, the conflict arose from the collision between the two motorcycles. Officers in plain clothes were dispatched to the scene upon receiving reports of the scuffle. No formal complaints have been filed by either party.
Traffic Restrictions Due to Kanwar Yatra
As part of the annual Kanwar Yatra, traffic restrictions will be enforced starting August 4 in Muzaffarnagar and various regions of western Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have announced a complete halt to vehicle movement on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway (NH-58) and along the Ganga Canal Road in Muzaffarnagar to facilitate the movement of Kanwariyas.
School Closures in Ghaziabad
In light of the Kanwar Yatra, schools and colleges in Ghaziabad will remain closed until August 12. The District Inspector of Schools has issued a notice suspending classes for grades 1 to 12, effective from August 4 to August 12.
The District Inspector stated, "Following the directives of the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad and prioritizing student safety, all schools operating under various educational boards, including Basic Education Board, Secondary Education Board, CBSE, ICSE, and Madarsa Board, will be closed during this period."
Furthermore, all colleges, universities, and technical institutes in the district, both public and private, will also observe this closure. However, any pre-scheduled examinations will proceed as planned.
Social Media Reaction
यूपी : मेरठ में कांवड़ियों ने दो पुलिसकर्मियों को पुलिस जीप से बाहर निकालकर पीटा, कपड़े फाड़ दिए। दरअसल, बाइक सवार व्यक्ति ने कांवड़ियों को टक्कर मार दी थी। इस सूचना पर थाने के 2 पुलिसकर्मी सादा कपड़ों में जीप लेकर पहुंच गए। आरोपी व्यक्ति तो भाग गया, लेकिन कांवड़ियों ने… pic.twitter.com/sVorKI19Va
— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) August 3, 2026