Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Coronavirus: Sec 144 CrPc clamped in many places

By Staff Correspondent

SILCHAR, March 21 - Along with the rest of the country, the Cachar district administration has also made war-like preparations to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As a preemptive step, Deputy Commissioner Barnali Sarma has clamped Section 144 CrPc, preventing gathering of more than two persons in shops along the streets, tea stalls and paan shops, etc., across the district. The order, which came into immediate effect till further notice, also made it clear that people must mandatorily maintain distance of one metre while interacting. Street vendors and customers shall be responsible for any violation, the order stated.

The Deputy Commissioner urged business establishments to reduce crowd build-up and keep arrangements for handwash outside their establishments.

Meanwhile, people have come together in spreading awareness and disseminating information regarding the importance of frequent handwashing.

Faculty members from the Department of Chemistry, Guru Charan College, have prepared hand santisers using compositions of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycerol and some amount of hydrogen peroxide in their laboratory, teachers under the banner of the IQAC cell of the college reached out to the grade-IV staff and other people with messages of keeping oneself safe during the crisis. Faculty members and staff of Women�s College Silchar also distributed leaflets with awareness messages.

Handwashing facilities have been made available for customers outside the State Bank of India, Rangirkhari, while office bearers of DSA, Silchar provided similar facilities to passers-by outside the sports complex.

Our Hailakandi Correspondent adds: In view of heavy inflow of visitors from different parts of the country and the threat of a possible outbreak of COVID-19, the Hailakandi district administration has clamped Section 144 CrPC in the entire district with immediate effect.

An order was issued by District Magistrate Keerthi Jalli on Thursday evening, where it was stated that any person who has sufficient reasons to believe or suspect that he or she has been infected with COVID-19 or may have come in contact with such a person, then he or she is bound to immediately disclose all requisite information to surveillance personnel and comply with their directions. Any person refusing to adopt preventive measures or treatment or failing to disclose information will be prosecuted under Section 270 IPC together with breach of order under Section 144 CrPC.

The order stated that all owners, persons in-charge, occupier of any premises including government, semi-government, private houses, hostels, hotels, inns, guest houses, dharamshalas, homestays and temporary sheds, would have to disclose information of such persons suspected of having COVID-19 to the nearest health facility or contact the control room at the numbers 7099252972 (Health Department) or 03844-223377/1077 (DDMA).

Our Sivasagar Correspondent adds: The Sivasagar administration has clamped Section 144 in the entire district, preventing assembly of more than five persons at a place, organising public events, sports and sale of roadside fast food, and also ordered closure of a few popular restaurants as part of precautionary measure to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19.

Anyone found violating the order would be penalised under Section 188 of the IPC, that deals with disobedience to order promulgated by public servant. Educational institutions like Sivasagar Girls College, Gargaon College, Demow College and even primary schools have joined the administration in spreading awareness.

Next Story