Shillong, August 20 : The East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, within the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station in Shillong ahead of a proposed rally and sit-in demonstration by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on August 21.
The order, issued by District Magistrate Abhilash Baranwal on August 20, stated that information had been received that the KSU intended to organise a rally from its office at Jaiaw to Motphran and conclude at Khyndailad, where a sit-in demonstration was proposed. The programme was reportedly scheduled from 11 AM to 6 PM on Friday.
According to the order, the district administration apprehended that the proposed rally and demonstration could lead to disturbance of public peace, obstruction of public movement, disruption of normal life, damage to public or private property or danger to human life.
Citing the need for immediate preventive measures to maintain public order and prevent any untoward incident, the District Magistrate issued a series of restrictions with immediate effect.
Under the order, no person, group or organisation will be allowed to organise, hold or participate in any procession, rally, demonstration, public meeting or assembly without prior written permission from the district administration.
Assemblies of five or more persons intending to conduct protests, demonstrations, rallies or gatherings that may disturb public order or disrupt normal life have also been prohibited.
The use of loudspeakers, megaphones, amplifiers or public-address systems in public places has been prohibited without prior permission from the competent authority.
The order further prohibits people from carrying arms, sticks, stones, rods or any object capable of causing injury or damage to life and property in connection with protests, demonstrations, rallies or gatherings covered by the prohibitory order.
It warned that any individual, group, organisation or association found disrupting normal life, preventing public or employee activities, enforcing shutdowns, damaging public or private property or committing acts affecting law and order would face criminal action under the relevant legal provisions.
The order has been passed ex-parte due to the urgency of the situation and will remain in force with immediate effect until further orders.
