Two Uttarakhand Police Constables Accused of Molesting Local Woman, Protest Erupts Ahead of Annual Fair

A major controversy erupted at Uttarakhand's Kainchi Dham a day before the temple's annual foundation day celebrations after two police constables deployed on fair duty were accused of molesting the daughter of a local homestay manager, triggering protests and public anger.

According to the woman's father, the incident occurred when his two daughters were returning from the temple. He alleged that the two constables, who were staying at a nearby homestay, misbehaved with one of the young women and were heavily intoxicated at the time.

The allegations sparked outrage among local residents, who reportedly caught the two policemen, assaulted them and took them to a nearby police outpost, where a large crowd gathered and staged a protest.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manjunath TC described the matter as serious and said strict action had been ordered against the accused personnel while assuring a fair and impartial investigation.

According to local reports, medical examinations of the two constables reportedly confirmed alcohol consumption. Police are preparing to register a criminal case against them.

The incident has also intensified resentment among local traders and residents over security arrangements ahead of the Kainchi Dham foundation day fair, observed annually on June 15 and attended by lakhs of devotees from across the country.

Local traders alleged that the police had created a "curfew-like" atmosphere in the area by erecting barricades and restricting vehicle movement several days before the event, causing inconvenience to pilgrims, tourists and business owners.

Residents claimed that traffic restrictions and roadblocks were imposed three days ahead of the celebrations, a practice they said had never been followed in previous years. They accused the police of enforcing rules arbitrarily and disrupting normal life in the temple town.

The controversy has raised fresh concerns over security and crowd-management arrangements ahead of one of Uttarakhand's biggest religious gatherings. With lakhs of devotees expected to visit the globally renowned Kainchi Dham temple, attention is now focused on the outcome of the investigation and the administration's response.