GUWAHATI: In a desperate bid to avert further disturbances, the Cachar district administration has clamped strict prohibitory orders throughout the district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The move comes after an unexpected protest in the Berenga locality of Silchar town, where hundreds of people marched on the streets without official sanction, demonstrating against the newly passed legislation.
The protestors, numbering between 300 and 400, blocked roads and caused a disruption in normal traffic, a top police official said. "When we attempted to clear the road, some of them hurled stones at us. We used mild lathi-charge to drive away the crowd," the official informed PTI. The police have cleared the spot now and have filed a case, but no detentions or arrests have been made so far.
The protesters, holding black flags and shouting slogans against the BJP government, asked for a withdrawal of the new Act. The tensions continued during the day, which moved the district administration to take prompt action in a bid to prevent any further escalation of the situation.
In the evening, the Cachar district magistrate declared the imposition of urgent prohibitory orders to ensure law and order. According to an official release, in view of the increasing tension and the possibility of a threat to public peace, especially following the protests against the Waqf Act, it was essential to take immediate steps.
The newly enforced order forbids the gathering of five or more people without prior approval and strictly prohibits the possession of weapons. It also prohibits the formation of any agitation programs like bandhs, rallies, strikes, dharnas, or demonstrations except with official sanction.
In an attempt to avert traffic jams, the government has also aimed at illegal parking and obstruction of roads, which have been the order of the day in mass mobilizations. In addition, the use of loudspeakers or any other high-decibel sound device without necessary permission has been prohibited to avoid noise pollution and minimize public nuisance.
The district magistrate has also warned in stern terms that any flouting of the directive will face stringent legal action.
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