| Are public gatherings allowed under lockdown restrictions? | | Saffron party office bearers hold meeting in Kathua, circulate details on social media | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 20: The Union Territory administration has imposed several restrictions across all the districts, including imposition of Section 144 which prohibits gatherings but it seems that in Kathua town no such restrictions are in place as Saffron party office bearers held a meeting and also uploaded the photographs on the social networking sites (which were deleted after few hours) under the nose of authorities.
As per the National Disaster Management Act, Section 144 as well as The Epidemic Disease Act 1987, which are at present enforced in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the country, the assembly of people is restricted to contain the spread of the disease.
In the initial days of the imposition of lockdown, the District Magistrates of most of the districts had imposed Section 144, to deter people from gatherings at public places as well as restrict the movement of public transport system.
Entire country is engulfed by the Corona-virus epidemic while the number of positive cases has continued to remain at alarming level but the epidemic is no worry for the Saffron party office bearers, who organized a meeting of its office bearers in Kathua town and also uploaded the photographs of the meeting on the social networking sites.
Apart from violating the laid guidelines, which prohibits social gathering, the saffron party office bearers could be seen without wearing the masks. Though the chairs on which the office bearers were sitting, were at some distance but it is obvious that such arrangements are only for media consumption. “During every meeting when people arrive or when they depart, there are chats between the people during which the social distancing cannot be maintained,” a political observer said, adding that it was beyond comprehension as why such meeting was organized, in which the party members ultimately patted the back of their own office bearers.
“An investigation must be initiated as with whose permission they organize such a meeting and for what emergency purpose, such a meeting was organized, jeopardizing the lives of party members as well as common masses,” a local said.
An official said that as per National Disaster Management Act, Section 144, Epidemic Disease Act, such gatherings are not allowed and action could be initiated for violation of laws but it was very unfortunate that some people were still trying to secure publicity. |
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