Move to maintain public peace and tranquillity during Eid, prohibitory order under 144 CrPC promulgated in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: To mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, the Muslim community will celebrate the Eid al-Fitr, the sacred festival of fast-breaking, on Saturday.

In this connection, as a preventive measure to check the likelihood of disturbance in public peace and tranquillity in the district by antisocial elements taking advantage of the festival, to thwart the nefarious attempts of rumour mongers and to restrict the movements of insurgents, to maintain public peace, security and tranquillity and to ensure safety to human life and health, Sumit Sattawan, District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, has promulgated prohibitory order across the district under Section 144 CrPC. The order, issued vide No. MJ/217/2023-MAG-LKPR-DFA/20656 dated 19/04/2023, has prohibited the assembly of five or more persons in any public place including NH-52 without specific permission from the District Magistrate and Additional District Magistrate. Carrying of lethal weapons and arms in public places including daggers, sticks, spears, swords, bows and arrows that can be used as weapons, holding of rallies, meeting, gatherings and public events in public places in the light of government instructions without permission have been prohibited by the order.

The order has further prohibited public rally, procession, demonstrations, strikes including hunger strikes, dharnas, shouting slogans etc,. in public places, causing obstruction to public roads and highways, footpath and normal movement of traffic etc. Inflammatory speeches, communal or anti-state, anti national speeches, slogans, banners, postering, wall writing any act in any place by any person which may spread ill feeling and enmity among communities, gherao of any person, office premises, have also been prohibited.

However, the order prohibiting assembly of persons at public places will not be applicable in the case of assembly of persons marketing, shopping in market places, educational institutions for academic purpose and railway stations, bus stands for travel and gathering in normal course of work or business or performing marriage ceremony. Similarly, the order will not be applicable in respect of police and army personnel, on-duty magistrates, judicial officials and person engaged in government business. The order has come into force with immediate effect and it will remain in force until the aforementioned festival is over. Any violation of this order will be punishable under the provision of Section 188 IPC and under the relevant provision of law.