Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 7: Based on an intimation/letter received from the Hon’ble Member of Parliament regarding a bandh called on October 8, 2024, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, District Magistrate, South Andaman has issued an Order today to ensure peace, public order and smooth functioning of essential services in the South Andaman District.

In the Order issued today, the DM, South Andaman said that information has been received from various sources that during the protest and bandh there is apprehension that certain assemblies and gatherings in the district will disrupt the normal functioning of daily life and have the potential to cause inconvenience to the public.

The A&N Administration is committed to ensuring peace, public order, and the smooth functioning of essential services in the South Andaman District.

As per the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Bharat Kumar K. Palicha and Anr-Vs-State of Kerala and Ors., the Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that calling for a bandh by any association, organisation or political party and the enforcing of that call by it is illegal and unconstitutional;

The Order further stated that it is necessary to take immediate preventive measures to avoid any activities or gatherings that may lead to public disorder or disrupt the daily lives of residents and citizens;

In exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Arjun Sharma, IAS, District Magistrate, South Andaman District order the following:

1) No assembly/ gathering of individuals exceeding 5 persons shall be allowed in the area leading from Murugan Temple to Model School Junction/Fire Brigade Junction, Murugan Temple to JNRM Junction and Murugan Temple to VIP Road (Kamraj Salai) that may lead to the obstruction of public movement or disrupt normal life.

2) Protests, demonstrations, or any such public assembly that is likely to cause disturbances, disrupt essential services, or affect the peaceful movement of people and vehicles are hereby strictly prohibited unless prior written permission has been obtained from the competent authority.

3) The order shall remain in force with immediate effect.

As the Order cannot be served individually upon all concerned, the order is hereby passed ex-parte. This order shall be promulgated in the South Andaman District for information of the public by announcement through publicity vans and affixing of copies thereof at notice boards of the Office of the District Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrates/Executive Magistrates as well as prominent public places and publication in the newspapers having circulation in the district. Further, the Superintendent of Police/Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Executive Magistrates and all authorities concerned shall ensure strict compliance of this order and shall adequately inform and sensitize the field functionaries to be vigilant in the matter.

Any disobedience of the above orders shall invite penal action in accordance with the prohibition order of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and will lead to legal action under the applicable laws, including but not limited to, action under BNSS 2023.