GUWAHATI, April 14: The Cachar district administration has promulgated certain restrictions under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), in the wake of violence during a protest against Waqf Amendment Act in the southern Assam district, and the need to take immediate preventive measures to maintain law and order.
Notably, a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act took a violent turn on Sunday with protesters pelting stones and the police resorting to lathicharge to disperse them.
“As per report of the Superintendent of Police, Cachar, there is an apprehension of breach of public peace and law and order situation in the Cachar district due to recent protest against Waqf Amendment Act and preventive measures are felt to be taken up immediately to maintain law and order situation, peace and public tranquility,” the prohibitory order by Cachar DC, Mridul Yadav, read.
Accordingly, the assembly of five or more persons without permission, and the conduct of any agitation programme such as bandhs, rallies, strikes, dharnas, demonstrations, etc without permission, have been prohibited.
Besides, according to the order, no person can carry weapons, explosives or any other suspicious objects; no person can obstruct traffic and illegally park vehicles; or use loud speakers/high decibel sound producing instruments without permission.
The order, which was passed ex-parte considering the exigencies of the matter, came into effect from Sunday. It will however not apply to the state and central government employees on duty and emergency services such as ambulance and fire services, etc.
“Any violation of this order shall be punishable under the relevant provision of law,” it read.