The District Magistrate Jammu Avny Lavasa imposed Section 144 to prevent rallies and protests at Tawi Bridge.
Lavasa, as per order, said that Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 3282 of 2020 has directed that the occupation of public ways for protests is not acceptable and the administration should take action to keep such areas clear of encroachments or obstructions.
“It has been observed that multiple organizations, groups, individuals try to hold protests, rallies and dharnas at Tawi Bridges, thereby causing obstruction and grave inconvenience to the General Public as the 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,” she said in an order stating 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,” said Lavasa adding that as District Magistrate, Jammu, she order that the General Public or any member thereof is completely prohibited from holding rallies, protests or dharnas and making speeches in and around all the four Tawi Bridges in Jammu.
“The order 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 District Magistrate and Additional Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate has been granted while the order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall be effective for a period of three months,” she said.
Any violation of the order shall invite punitive action under CrPC and Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu shall ensure that the order be enforced in letter and spirit, said the District Magistrate.
