Kedarnath yatra: Four FIRs filed over misinformation, provocative reels, vandalism

Rudraprayag district magistrate Vishal Mishra, SP Tomar and other senior officials conducted an inspection of facilities in the shrine area. They reviewed arrangements across temple premises, Aastha Path and token counters, focusing on sanitation, drinking water, accommodation, toilets, food supply, security, and queue and crowd management systems. Mishra also interacted with pilgrims to gather feedback and assured that essential arrangements have been put in place to avoid inconvenience.

An FIR was registered in connection with vandalism of government property in the Kedarnath shrine area. Unidentified people damaged public toilets across the Kedarnath Dham area, including near the helipad and horse halt points. Five doors were vandalised at multiple locations, including the Kedarnath market area, behind the PWD office, near Punjab Sindh Bhawan, and at the base camp; twelve water taps and around 60 cistern units were broken. The FIR was registered on a complaint by Sulabh International supervisor Mintu Pathak.

Rudraprayag SP Neeharika Tomar said action was initiated against individuals spreading misleading content related to the yatra through reels and videos. The social media monitoring cell has identified posts circulating false and unverified information about arrangements and darshan at Kedarnath, and three FIRs have been registered against those individuals; the investigation is ongoing.

The Char Dham Yatra commenced on Friday with the opening of the portals of Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath Dham in the Garhwal Himalayas on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. In the first two days of the yatra, 63,252 pilgrims have visited the Kedarnath shrine.