Section 144 imposed in Kangra amid Covid scare

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, March 15

Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Rakesh Prajapati has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC on Kangra district amid coronavirus (Covid-19) scare. Any gathering of four or more persons at one place becomes illegal now.

The DC said the order had been issued following the government order to ban gatherings. The government yesterday ordered the closure of all schools and colleges till March 31.

Kangra district that has many temples faces a unique challenge after Section 144. Pilgrims from adjoining states come in trucks and tractor trolleys. The police will either stop them on the border or else it would amount to violation of Section 144.

The entrance to many famous temples like Bajjreshwari Devi temple passes through narrow lanes. It creates rush at the entrance even if a few hundred pilgrims have turned up. The administration will have to erect nakas to check the situation.

The DC said the administration was likely to establish check posts outside the temples to isolate the people who were suffering from flu or virus symptoms.

The DC said it had come to his notice that some people, who had returned from abroad, were not declaring the travel details before the administration.

They would be prosecuted under Section 270 of the IPC. The district administration is facing a challenge during marriage gatherings. Since emotions are attached, it would be difficult for the administration to persuade people postpone marriages. The DC said they would try to persuade people to use precautions like use of hand sanitisers and masks during such functions.

No coronavirus case has been detected in Kangra district so far.

District faces unique challenge

• Kangra district that has many temples faces a unique challenge after Section 144.
• A large number of pilgrims from adjoining states come in trucks and tractor trailers.
• The police may stop them on the border as it would amount to violation of the order.
• Check posts outside temples will isolate people showing virus symptoms.