Paonta Sahib abduction case: Prohibitory orders in effect till June 26

In view of the recent communal flare-up in the Majra area of Paonta Sahib, where a minor boy from the minority community had allegedly fled with a girl from the majority community, Sirmaur DC on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders in the areas falling under the Majra police station from June 20 to June 26.

As per the directions, areas such as Majra, Malion, Fatehpur, Misserwala and Majra have been identified as vulnerable where despite taking slew of preventive measures by the police, the law and order situation was termed as volatile where communal tensions continued to persist.

The BJP had planned a meeting for eulogising the Modi government’s policies at Paonta Sahib, but it ended up criticising the administration for what it called the inept and one-sided action against its leaders, including booking them under heinous sections like attempt to murder and assault on the policemen, while letting the other community go scot free.

Apprehending further deteriorate the public peace and tranquillity of the Majra area, the police requested for extension of prohibitory orders from the DM from June 20 to June 26. District Magistrate Priyanka issued order prohibiting assembly of five or more people without permission. Further carrying lethal weapons and arms including sticks, daggers, swords, pick axe, shovels, etc has also been banned. In a bid to curb an inflammatory law and order situation, holding public rallies or procession and demonstration including hunger strike, dharna and sloganeering has also been barred in public which have the potential to obstruct public places, roads and places of worship. Curbing the communal outburst further, carrying inflammatory objects like fire marshal, candle, effigy, tyre, etc., have also been prohibited in a bid to contain public unrest.

Other forms of agitation such as bursting crackers or pelting stones or displaying objectionable material publicly on women and children as well as making inflammatory speeches or communally-laced anti-national utterances have been prohibited, besides such slogans in exhaustive prohibitory orders passed by the District Magistrate this evening. Those violating the orders would be penalised as per Section 233 of the BNSS-2023.

Himachal Tribune