Preparations for the world-renowned Annual Falgun Lakhi Mela at Khatu Shyamji, scheduled to begin on February 21, have sparked intense conflict between local residents and the police. Tensions escalated at Modi Chowk in Sikar over the installation of heavy iron gates, leading to a physical altercation involving the Station House Officer (SHO) of Khatu Shyamji Kotwali, Pawan Choube.

The Conflict Over Barricading: To manage the influx of millions of devotees, the administration is installing permanent iron gates at various strategic points in the city. However, locals are strongly protesting this move, claiming that these gates are turning their town into a “prison” and severely obstructing their daily movement and businesses.

Viral Video of Police Brutality: A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing SHO Pawan Choube losing his temper during the protest. The footage allegedly shows the officer grabbing a local youth by his collar, using abusive language, and throwing him to the ground. This display of force has triggered widespread condemnation from the townsfolk, who are now questioning the “friendly” face of the police.

Security vs. Freedom: While the police argue that barricading Modi Chowk is a vital safety measure to prevent stampedes during the peak festival days (Feb 21-28), residents claim the administration is ignoring their grievances. “Why should we be caged in the name of security?” asked an angry villager. As of now, the situation remains tense, with the administration struggling to balance safety protocols with the rights of the local population.