Despite rising COVID cases, Haridwar is jam-packed with pilgrims for Kumbh Mela on April 12.
COVID protocols were flouted as devotees performed the rituals.
Appreciating the efforts of police, Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar said that as it was a peak day therefore, it was hard to make people follow it.
DGP Ashok Kumar said, "Maha Kumbh has been challenging for the country, Uttarakhand Police is comparatively small in strength but Maha Kumbh takes place on that very scale.
It was a challenging day for us.
The crowd is a little less due to COVID.
We have tried our best that the behaviour is right and COVID protocols are followed.
Today is a peak day so it is not possible to make them follow protocols.
The footfall is 50% less than what we were expecting this year due to COVID pandemic." Uttarakhand has over 7,000 active cases in the state.
