UP DGP Rajeev Krishna Calls for ‘Zero Incident, Zero Accident’ Kanwar Yatra, Orders Statewide Crackdown on Absconding Criminals
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna (IPS:1991) has directed police officers across the state to work towards ensuring a “Zero Incident, Zero Accident” Kanwar Yatra while intensifying preparations for the upcoming festive season. Alongside enhanced security measures, the state’s police chief has also announced a special week-long campaign to trace missing and absconding criminals, underlining the Uttar Pradesh Police’s renewed focus on preventive policing, technology-driven surveillance and swift criminal investigation.
The directions were issued during a statewide online crime review meeting, where senior police officers from across Uttar Pradesh participated virtually. The meeting covered a wide range of policing issues, including law and order management, crime investigation, beat policing, intelligence gathering, festival security and the performance of Mission Shakti centres established across the state.
Comprehensive Security Plan for Kanwar Yatra
Reviewing the arrangements for the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, one of North India’s largest annual religious pilgrimages, DGP Rajeev Krishna instructed all district police chiefs to leave no room for complacency.
He asked officers to identify all sensitive and vulnerable locations in advance and deploy additional police personnel wherever the situation demands. The objective, he stressed, is to ensure that devotees complete their pilgrimage safely without any untoward incidents or accidents.
The DGP emphasised that the guiding principle for every police unit during the yatra should be “Zero Incident, Zero Accident.”
He instructed officers to maintain round-the-clock vigilance in sensitive areas and strengthen preventive policing through continuous monitoring and effective field deployment.
Community Coordination to Preserve Harmony
Rajeev Krishna also highlighted the importance of maintaining communal harmony during the Kanwar Yatra and the upcoming festival season.
He directed district police officers to work closely with local communities, peace committees, religious leaders and public representatives to address concerns well in advance and prevent any possibility of tension.
According to the DGP, proactive communication and public participation remain among the most effective tools for ensuring peaceful celebrations and avoiding law and order issues before they arise.
Police officers have been asked to remain in regular contact with local stakeholders while closely monitoring developments on the ground.
Barricading, Lighting and Traffic Management Prioritised
Apart from law and order arrangements, the DGP reviewed logistical preparations along Kanwar routes.
He instructed police authorities to ensure proper barricading at vulnerable stretches, adequate lighting at important locations and efficient traffic management to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims as well as regular commuters.
District administrations and police units have been asked to coordinate closely to minimise congestion and respond quickly to any traffic-related challenges during the pilgrimage.
The focus, officials said, is on ensuring both public safety and uninterrupted movement throughout the yatra.
Strict Compliance with DJ Regulations
Rajeev Krishna directed all district police units to strictly enforce court orders and government guidelines governing DJs accompanying Kanwar processions.
He instructed officers to ensure that both the permissible height of DJ systems and prescribed sound limits are followed without exception.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has been asked to take prompt action wherever violations are detected so that public safety norms and judicial directives are effectively implemented throughout the pilgrimage.
Technology to Play a Bigger Role
Modern surveillance technology will continue to play a key role in the state’s security strategy during the Kanwar Yatra.
The DGP instructed officers to maximise the use of advanced monitoring systems, including:
Tethered drones
CCTV surveillance cameras
Social media monitoring platforms
According to Rajeev Krishna, these technologies will significantly improve situational awareness, help police identify emerging risks at an early stage and enable faster deployment of response teams whenever required.
Police officials have also been directed to continuously monitor social media platforms to detect rumours, misinformation or provocative content that could potentially disturb public order.
Week-Long Drive Against Missing and Absconding Criminals
Apart from festival security, the DGP announced a special statewide campaign targeting missing and absconding offenders.
During the review of the Yaksh App, Rajeev Krishna described beat-level intelligence as the “soul” of the application and emphasised that the effectiveness of the platform depends largely on the quality and accuracy of information collected by beat officers.
He instructed all district police units to ensure comprehensive and error-free data entry across all 21 categories available in the application.
The DGP also ordered 100 percent verification of active criminals across the state.
As part of this exercise, police teams will conduct a week-long campaign to trace offenders who are found missing during verification or who have been absconding from law enforcement agencies.
The campaign is expected to strengthen the state’s criminal intelligence network while improving the accuracy of police records.
Faster Investigation of Serious Criminal Cases
Rajeev Krishna also reviewed the status of pending criminal investigations across Uttar Pradesh.
He instructed officers to speed up investigations in cases involving serious offences so that justice is delivered without unnecessary delay.
The categories specifically highlighted during the meeting included:
Murder
Dacoity
Robbery
Chain-snatching
Other heinous offences
District police chiefs have been directed to regularly monitor investigation progress and ensure timely filing of charge sheets wherever possible.
The DGP reiterated that efficient investigation remains one of the key indicators of effective policing.
Tough Action Against Habitual Offenders
The police chief also instructed officers to initiate stringent legal action against habitual offenders.
Wherever applicable, police have been directed to invoke provisions of the Gangsters Act and the Goonda Act against repeat offenders and organised criminal elements.
The objective, according to officials, is not only to prosecute offenders but also to dismantle habitual criminal networks through preventive legal measures.
Mission Shakti Centres Show Encouraging Results
The review meeting also assessed the functioning of Mission Shakti centres operating across Uttar Pradesh.
Data presented during the meeting indicated encouraging improvements in crimes affecting women after these centres became operational.
According to the figures reviewed:
Dowry death cases have declined by 43 percent.
Dowry harassment cases have reduced by 13 percent.
Taking note of these improvements, Rajeev Krishna directed Range Inspectors General (IGs) and Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) to regularly monitor Mission Shakti centres and ensure that they continue functioning effectively.
He stressed that sustained supervision would be necessary to maintain the positive trend reflected in the latest crime statistics.
Strong Focus on Preventive and Smart Policing
Throughout the review meeting, the DGP repeatedly emphasised that Uttar Pradesh Police would continue to prioritise preventive policing over reactive measures.
He said timely intelligence gathering, effective beat policing, modern surveillance technology and rapid field response must work together to ensure public safety during the Kanwar Yatra and the upcoming festive season.
The latest directions also reinforce the state’s broader policing strategy, which combines traditional field policing with technology-driven monitoring, stronger criminal intelligence and coordinated administrative planning.
With enhanced security arrangements, stricter enforcement measures and a dedicated campaign against absconding criminals, the Uttar Pradesh Police aims to ensure that the Kanwar Yatra and forthcoming festivals conclude peacefully while maintaining firm control over law and order across the state.
