Varanasi, Feb 20 (UNI) Despite repeated advisories issued to boat operators, a police checking drive conducted on Thursday exposed gross negligence at various ghats in Kashi.
The drive was led by Assistant Police Commissioner Gaurav Kumar of Bhelupur and Station House Officer Sudhir Kumar Tripathi.
During inspections at Assi Ghat, Rewa Ghat, Tulsi Ghat, and other locations, cases were registered against boatmen Atul Sahni, Santosh Nishad, and Pawan Sahni, along with several unidentified individuals, for violating safety norms. Seven boats were seized during the operation.
According to police sources on Friday, a separate special checking drive was also carried out by the Dashashwamedh police station at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sheetla Ghat, Pandey Ghat, and adjoining areas.
During the inspection, several boatmen were found overloading boats and failing to ensure that passengers wore life jackets, thereby putting the lives of pilgrims and tourists in the Ganga at risk.
Taking immediate action, police registered a case against Mahesh Kumar, Suraj Sahni, and Tinku Sahni under Section 282 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Three boats were seized in this operation. Officials confirmed that similar drives are being conducted at other ghats to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Gaurav Kumar, dressed in plain clothes, monitored the situation on the ghats and in the Ganga for several hours.
He personally observed instances of negligence by boat operators concerning the safety of tourists and pilgrims.
Police book seven boatmen for overloading, not using life jackets in Kashi
