Baramulla, June 24 : Authorities in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in village Marchimar and Mirgund ahead of the 9th and 10th Muharram observances.
An official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) The prohibitory orders, issued by District Magistrate Baramulla, will remain in force from 8:30 PM tonight till 10:00 PM on June 26, the official said.
The decision was taken following a report from Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla, who cited a “long-standing dispute” between various groups over the management and conduct of religious activities at Imam Bara (Dargah Hussaini) and the adjoining Masjid Babul in the area, he said.
The SSP reported that the dispute has been a “recurring source of confrontations” between factions, with multiple criminal cases registered in the past at Police Stations Pattan and Shaleng, the official informed.
According to the official, a verbal altercation occurred between groups as recently as April 13, and there are “credible inputs” that any attempt to conduct processions or congregations near the disputed premises during Muharram may lead to “serious deterioration” of law and order, posing threat to life and property, he added.
The District Magistrate, in exercise of powers under Section 163 BNSS, has ordered that no assembly or congregation of four or more persons shall be allowed, no procession shall be permitted, and no person shall carry firearms or any article capable of being used as a weapon of offence, except members of armed forces, police, magistrates, or authorized public servants on duty.
Use of loudspeakers or amplifying devices for speeches or announcements without prior permission of the District Magistrate has also been prohibited, the official said.
The order was issued to “maintain peace and tranquility” and “prevent any imminent danger to life and property” in the area, he said.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pattan has been directed to deploy duty magistrates at appropriate locations during the restricted period, while District Information Officer Baramulla has been directed to give wide publicity to the order, officials added. (KNS)
