Chamoli: As the communal tensions in Nandanagar area in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district is continued over alleged molestation of a minor girl by a man from another community, authorities have issued restrictions orders in the area under section 163 of the BNSS as a precautionary measure to tackle law-and-order situation. Moreover, district police have filed cases against 500 ‘Unidentified’ persons.
Tensions continue in Nandanagar after miscreants ransacked and vandalized Muslim shops on Sunday, following allegations that a 25-year-old man from the community, who works at a local salon, molested the minor girl. Apart from this, the police have also registered the case against 300 unidentified people for attacking, ransacking and vandalizing the shop belonging to minority community. The cases against 200 people have been registered for damaging a makeshift mosque in the area.
Massive outrage among locals
In a complaint filed at the Nandprayag police station on Saturday, the girl’s father alleged that his daughter was molested by the accused on August 22. Although the police arrested the accused on Monday, protests continued. There is massive outrage among locals concerning this incident. Additionally, some Hindutva groups took out a procession on Sunday in Gopeshwar town demanding verification of all ‘outsiders’. Consequently, the Sub-District Magistrate imposed Section 163 in the area as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
People staged sit-in protests on September 1 and 2
In an order issued by Chamoli’s Sub-District Magistrate Rajkumar Pandey, Section 163 has been imposed across the entire Nandanagar (Ghat) area and within a 200-meter radius. The order states: “Upon receiving information about the criminal incident at Police Station Nandanagar (Ghat) District Chamoli, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on August 31, 2024. Expressing anger over the incident, people staged sit-in protests on September 1 and 2, 2024. During this time, some anti-social elements engaged in vandalism, creating an atmosphere of tension and fear among the residents. Given this situation, I am convinced that imposing Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defense Code 2023 is absolutely necessary to maintain peace and order in the area.”
Prohibitions under section 163
The following restrictions have been imposed in the specified area:
The use of sound amplifying devices, such as loudspeakers, is completely prohibited.
Carrying any type of arms, explosives, etc., is not allowed.
Public gatherings of more than five persons are forbidden.
Using objectionable comments, indecent words, slogans, or speeches against anyone is prohibited.
Posting any comments or material on social media platforms like WhatsApp, X, Facebook, etc., that may disturb the peace is not allowed.
Damaging or closing down business establishments, shops, etc., is prohibited.
Distributing or putting up any type of literature, press notes, pamphlets, etc., is not allowed.
The order specifies that these restrictions do not apply to security forces and personnel engaged in maintaining peace and government work.
