138 Arrested from Pashupati Area on Maha Shivaratri

Kathmandu — Police have taken 138 people into control for engaging in unruly activities in the Pashupati area on the sacred occasion of Maha Shivaratri. According to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, those arrested include pickpockets, individuals involved in disorderly conduct, pushing and shoving, and those consuming cannabis.

Since Sunday morning, a huge crowd of devotees has gathered in the Pashupati area. On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, thousands of devotees from across the country as well as from neighboring India have come to worship Lord Pashupatinath.

Police have deployed a large number of security personnel to provide tight security in the Pashupati area. Security forces have also been deployed in plain clothes, and the entire area is being monitored by CCTV cameras.

According to police, strict surveillance has been maintained over those engaging in anti-social activities under the guise of the religious festival. Many of those arrested were caught red-handed by plainclothes police officers.

Keeping in mind the safety of devotees, police have established a three-tier security cordon in the Pashupati area. Metal detectors have been placed at the main entrances, and additional teams have been deployed for crowd management.

Every year on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, millions of devotees come to worship Lord Pashupatinath. This time too, since morning, the Pashupati temple premises are packed with devotees. Long queues have formed for temple entry, and there is an atmosphere of hymns and devotional singing in various places.

Police have requested devotees to perform their worship peacefully and immediately inform the police in case of any unpleasant incident. Police have stated that necessary action will be taken against those arrested.