Jammu, Aug 24 (KNO): Amid ongoing hunger strike by members of Yuva Rajput Sabha to press for their demand of declaring a holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, district administration Jammu has imposed Section 144 around all four Tawi Bridges in the city to restrict protest rallies.
According to an order, issued by District Magistrate Jammu Avny Lavasa, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that it has been observed that multiple organisations, groups, individuals try to hold protests, rallies and dharnas at Tawi Bridges, thereby causing obstruction and grave inconvenience to the General Public.
The order reads that Tawi bridges are a major thoroughfare in the city and these protests, rallies and dharnas cause major traffic congestion affecting movement of vehicles throughout the city.
It added that allowing such unruly and illegal gatherings on these bridges and roads are a serious threat to peace, order and harmony in the District.
“In view of the situation emerging due to such blockades, that there is sufficient ground for proceeding under Section 144 of CrPC for immediate prevention of danger to peace, order, human life and safety.
It added that general public or any member thereof is completely prohibited from holding rallies, protests or dharnas and making speeches in and around all four Tawi Bridges in Jammu.
The order, however, stated that it shall not apply to Police or Paramilitary or Armed Forces of the Union or any other government servant on official duties, processions, rallies for which prior permission in writing by the DM, ADM and SDM has been granted.
“The order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall be effective for a period of three months and any violation of the order shall invite punitive action under CrPC.
As per the order, Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu has been asked to ensure the order be enforced in letter and spirit.
Notably, activists of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) intensified their protest demonstration and also started hunger strike to press for their demand of declaring a holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, on September 23.
The YRS activists assembled in front of the Maharaja Hari Singh statue near main Tawi Bridge and staged a sit-in protest, prompting authorities to restrict public rallies on all four Tawi bridges in the city—(KNO)