Maya govt issues guidelines for holding protests

The prescribed format seeks information including the name of the organiser,his full address,phone number,nature and site of the programme,proposed route of the processions or rally,timing,expected strength of participants and details of VIPs,if any.

Under the new guidelines,the organiser will have to give an undertaking to the administration that he will be held personally accountable for ensuring a peaceful programme. Although the format mentions the words dharna/pradarshan/julus/ rally,it avoids the word “protest”. Instead,it talks about “karyakram” (programme).

The organiser will also have to give an undertaking that he understands the January 8 government order issued in the light of Supreme Court and high court orders. The order dated January 8,2011,is related to action in case of damage to public or private property.

The format “B” that is meant for the issuance of a final order for holding such a programme says that the district president/state president and national president of any political party will be held responsible for a political programme. In case of any other programme,the head of the organisations concerned will be held responsible. If there is damage to public property,compensation money will be recovered from the persons responsible for the programme. If the persons concerned fail to pay compensation,it can be recovered in the form of arrears of land revenue.

Addressing a press conference,Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Fateh Bahadur said the government had directed the officers concerned to ensure strict implementation of the order. He said that of late such programmes had become violent and were causing violence and inconvenience to common people. The fundamental right to express one’s views in a democracy does not mean that public services or facilities can get disrupted. He pointed out that the Supreme Court has given guidelines in this connection with a writ petition in April 2009. He also made it clear that officers who fail to ensure implementation of this order will face strict action.

No one will be allowed to carry weapons at such a programme,Bahadur said. The district magistrate will ensure widespread publicity about the site of the programme for the benefit of the common people. The order for holding such programmes will be issued after getting a report from the LIU,police station concerned and other departments,if needed.