"Have asked Gram Panchayats not to put up any boards": Uttarakhand DGP on sign boards banning entry of certain communities in Rudraprayag

This comes after reports of sign boards banning entry of people of certain communities coming from villages of Kedar Valley in Rudraprayag district.

Talking exclusively to ANI, the DGP said, "We have asked the Gram Panchayats not to put up any boards which might target any particular community."

He said that the Gram Panchayats have removed those boards after the Police urged them to.

"We need to go into the depth of this issue. It is not like the villagers have any adverse feelings towards people from outside. We have to understand the sentiments of people living in small villages. After more people started reaching these villages there have been incidents of crime. There were 'love-jihad' types of cases also," added the DGP.

Kumar said that if there is a ban on the entry of outsiders, then action should be taken according to the rights of the Panchayat in the Panchayat Act.

DGP Abhinav Kumar also said that if the police are required for action anywhere, or any action is to be taken, the police administration will fully cooperate in that. The police administration will try to ensure that no suspicious person comes to the village and there is no incident of molestation of any woman or minor girl there.

DGP Abhinav Kumar said, "Last week in 6 to 7 villages of Rudraprayag district, some boards were put up that there is a ban on entry of outsiders and a fine has also been imposed by local Gram Panchayat. The boards were removed. The language in the boards was objected to by people of a particular community. Due to incidents of crime in the villages, the locals have become concerned. There have been incidents of love jihad. We have requested villagers not to target any particular community."

Earlier, DGP Abhinav Kumar said that Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police has been ordered to investigate the matter. (ANI)