Resubelpara, March 16: The District Magistrate of North Garo Hills, Dr. Abhishek Saini, IAS, has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to regulate the movement of people and maintain public order in the district.
The order was issued after the district administration received credible inputs from law enforcement agencies that certain individuals or groups may attempt to travel through North Garo Hills towards West Garo Hills, where curfew has been imposed due to the prevailing law and order situation.
According to the order, such movement could potentially disturb public peace, breach tranquillity, and escalate violence in adjoining districts. The administration stated that preventive measures are necessary to regulate gatherings and movement of people within North Garo Hills district.
Under the order, the following restrictions have been imposed with immediate effect:
- Carrying lathis, sticks, stones, firearms or any kind of lethal weapons by individuals or groups within the district is prohibited.
- Unlawful assembly of five or more persons within the district and near the inter-district boundary, highways or routes leading to West Garo Hills district is banned.
- Movement of groups of five or more persons towards the inter-district boundary with West Garo Hills that may disturb public order is prohibited.
- No person or group is allowed to organize or participate in processions, rallies or gatherings intended to proceed towards West Garo Hills.
The order authorizes the district police and other law enforcement agencies to regulate the movement of persons and vehicles heading towards West Garo Hills and to prevent entry of individuals suspected of attempting to disturb public peace.
However, the restrictions will not apply to government officials on duty, armed forces and paramilitary personnel, police personnel, emergency services, and persons travelling for essential purposes with valid justification.
The order also states that any violation will attract penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other relevant provisions of law.
The prohibitory order has been issued with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders, considering the need for urgent preventive action to maintain peace and public tranquillity in the region.
