State set to enforce HC order

Chandigarh : One of the biggest Indian festivals, Diwali, which is celebrated with pomp and show across the country, has invited the imposition of orders for the prevention of nuisance of apprehended danger. Orders under Section 144 CrPC have been issued throughout Punjab by the deputy commissioners following the Punjab and Haryana High Court directions, restricting bursting of crackers to just three hours from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Diwali.
While the civil and police administration, including officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will be on their toes to ensure that the ban is strictly enforced from today itself, the violators of this order (those who burst crackers beyond the stipulated time) could also be arrested and/or imposed a fine.Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh told The Tribune that instructions to impose the order passed by the high court had already been issued by the Home Department to all deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police. Home Secretary NS Kalsi, too, confirmed that instructions had been issued for compliance of the court orders. Official sources have told The Tribune that the orders issued by the district magistrates today say that any violation of the Section 144 CrPC makes the offender liable under Section 188 of IPC. Under this, disobedience of the order duly promulgated by public servant can invite punishment with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to Rs 200, or both. In case, such disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot, this can be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to Rs 1,000, or with both.