Eid-Yatra confluence likely on July 6

Ahmedabad: As Eid and Rath Yatra are likely to take place on the same day on July 6, the city police have stressed on area-level meetings with locals and raised a cadre of volunteers to help maintain law and order.
Police officials said that for the past one month, senior officials have visited over 15 areas on Rath Yatra route and nearby areas considered to be sensitive.
"Occurrence of Eid and Ashadhi Bij, the day when the Yatra takes place, on the same day is not unusual and we had observed the most recent one in 2015. So far, we were heavily dependent on police station-level Shanti Samiti (peace committees) comprising leaders from various communities. However, this year, in addition to that we have held meetings at local level with youth," said a senior city police official.
The local residents will work as volunteers for city police. If the timing of namaaz and procession coincides, they will ensure that there are alternate routes to avert traffic issues.
They will also help the local police in maintaining peace. In the past few years, voluntary curfew by the Muslims in areas such as Dariapur has stopped as the locals also participate in the festivities, said the officials.
On Friday, Jagannathji Temple mahant Dilipdasji and other leaders participated in an Iftaari in Shahpur, organized by MLA Gyasuddin Shaikh and Muslim leaders to celebrate the day to mark communal harmony.