Sandeshkhali (WB): Local women of the Sandeshkhali region of West Bengal on February 14 spoke on the recent violence and the Section 144 imposed in the region. She said that the leader threatened them of killing their husbands and abducting their sons, and thus asked them to keep their mouth shut in front of media. “We do not trust the government here or the local police. We want our lands and our dignity back, will they provide it to us? Women were taken from here and kept inside the homes for the whole night. They were also beaten up. Nobody could speak anything because they threatened to kill our husbands or abduct our sons. The State police will never take into custody Shahjahan, Shibu and others,” said a local.
Tag: Section 144
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As Hemant Soren Remains ‘Untraceable’, Section 144 Imposed Around His Residence, Raj Bhavan |
RANCHI: With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) tightening its noose around Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the state administration has imposed Section 144 under CrPc within 100 meters radius of his residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi on Tuesday. According to news agency ANI, the order will remain in force till 10 pm. During this period, any kind of protest or demonstration has been banned. “According to the information received, there is information about protests, demonstrations, rallies etc., by various organizations/parties. The possibility of such programs causing disruption in government work, disrupting traffic, creating law and order problems and disturbing public peace cannot be ruled out,” the order said.
Section 144 CrPc imposed within 100 meters radius of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi pic.twitter.com/0A67WQykf5
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024
This comes as the ED officials visited Soren’s Delhi home to question him in connection with a money laundering investigation.
Will Record Statement Tomorrow: Soren
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, in a letter to the Enforcement Directorate, said he will record his statement before the agency officials at 1 pm on Wednesday at his residence. While accepting to record his statement, the Jharkhand chief minister alleged that questioning him at this time was more political and was meant to disrupt the functioning of his government.
“You are well aware that the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly will be held between 2nd and 29th February 2024 and the undersigned will be pre-occupied with preparations for the same apart from other prior scheduled official engagements,” the letter written by Soren to ED’s Ranchi office said.
“In these circumstances, your insistence to record a further statement of the undersigned on or before 31 January 2024 reeks of malice and reveals your political agenda to disrupt the functioning of the State Government and prevent an elected representative of the people from discharging his official duties,” Soren’s letter to the ED said.
ED Seizes Soren’s BMW Car
On Monday, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials seized a luxury car belonging to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren from his Delhi residence late on Monday, in connection with the ongoing probe into a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Sources revealed that the BMW confiscated by the ED on Monday is believed to be acquired from the “proceeds of crime,” a significant development in the ongoing probe. Soren reportedly utilized this vehicle during his stays in the national capital, adding to the gravity of the seizure.
Besides, the Enforcement Directorate team also recovered Rs 36 lakhs in cash from Soren’s Delhi residence, said sources.
Section 144 CrPc imposed within 100 meters radius of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s residence, Raj Bhavan and ED office in Ranchi pic.twitter.com/0A67WQykf5
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024Despite repeated summons, Soren has eluded interrogation, raising suspicions about his involvement in the case. He has notably ignored seven summons issued by the ED, with indications that he may contest them legally.
Cat-And-Mouse Chase
ED officials, determined to locate Soren, have scoured both Jharkhand Bhawan and his father’s residence, but to no avail. His chartered plane remained grounded at the Delhi Airport, further complicating the search. In a bid to counter the ED’s actions, Soren appears poised to challenge the ED summons in the Supreme Court, underscoring the escalating legal battle between the two parties.
The Enforcement Directorate officials visited the residence of Soren in the national capital on Monday night for questioning him in connection with the alleged land scam case and said that the Jharkhand Chief Minister could not be located.
What Are The Allegations Against Soren?
The money laundering case, amounting to a staggering Rs 600 crore, alleges a widespread conspiracy involving the illicit transfer and sale of government land to developers. Notably, the ED has apprehended 14 individuals thus far, including high-ranking officials like IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan.
Conspiracy By BJP: Soren
However, Soren has vehemently denied the accusations, attributing them to a concerted effort to malign his reputation. He has rallied support from his party members, vowing to confront the purported conspirators head-on.
Political Turmoil In Jharkhand
The Jharkhand BJP has seized upon the situation, accusing Soren of evading authorities and undermining the state’s integrity. The BJP has now alleged that Soren has “gone missing.” “Today, the honour and respect of the people of Jharkhand were destroyed by our Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji, just by going missing,” BJP parliamentarian from Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey, wrote on his X timeline. Reports about Soren’s alleged escape from his Delhi residence shrouded in secrecy and speculation, have further fuelled the controversy surrounding his involvement in the case.
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One killed, 8 injured in clash between two groups in Maharashtra; 26 people detained
By PTI
AKOLA: One person was killed and eight others, including two policemen, were injured after a clash broke out between members of two communities in Maharashtra’s Akola city over a social media post, officials said on Sunday.
The police have detained 26 people in connection with the incident which took place at around 11.30 pm on Saturday in the sensitive Old City area, they said.
District Magistrate Neema Arora ordered the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits unlawful assembly of people, in four police station areas in the city to maintain law and order.
The violence took place after a religious post that went viral on a social media platform, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandip Ghuge said. Members of the two groups pelted stones at each other.
Some vehicles were also damaged in the incident, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monika Raut said.
“One person was killed and eight others were injured. Those injured included two policemen who were hurt when the rioters pelted stones,” Ghuge said.
Police used tear gas to disperse the rioters and the situation was now under control, Raut said. The police have registered two cases and detained 26 people in connection with the incident, SP Ghuge said.
According to local administration, state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Akola district, was monitoring the situation and appealed to people to maintain peace.
Heavy security was deployed in the city following the incident, ASP Raut said. One thousand personnel of the State Reserve Police from Amravati have been deployed in Akola city, she said. The police appealed to citizens not to panic and not to believe in any rumour.
AKOLA: One person was killed and eight others, including two policemen, were injured after a clash broke out between members of two communities in Maharashtra’s Akola city over a social media post, officials said on Sunday.
The police have detained 26 people in connection with the incident which took place at around 11.30 pm on Saturday in the sensitive Old City area, they said.
District Magistrate Neema Arora ordered the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits unlawful assembly of people, in four police station areas in the city to maintain law and order.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
The violence took place after a religious post that went viral on a social media platform, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandip Ghuge said. Members of the two groups pelted stones at each other.
Some vehicles were also damaged in the incident, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Monika Raut said.
“One person was killed and eight others were injured. Those injured included two policemen who were hurt when the rioters pelted stones,” Ghuge said.
Police used tear gas to disperse the rioters and the situation was now under control, Raut said. The police have registered two cases and detained 26 people in connection with the incident, SP Ghuge said.
According to local administration, state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the guardian minister of Akola district, was monitoring the situation and appealed to people to maintain peace.
Heavy security was deployed in the city following the incident, ASP Raut said. One thousand personnel of the State Reserve Police from Amravati have been deployed in Akola city, she said. The police appealed to citizens not to panic and not to believe in any rumour.
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Security up as 15 foreign, 50 Indian delegates arrive in Puducherry for G-20
Express News Service
PUDUCHERRY: Security was beefed up on main roads across Puducherry in view of the Science-20 (S-20) Inception Meeting at Suganya Convention Centre on January 30 and 31. Around 37 NDRF personnel were deployed on Airport Road in Lawspet, ECR from Karuvadikuppam to Rajiv Gandhi statue, 100-ft Road, Cuddalore Road, Kamaraj Salai, and Anna Salai.
Police, Indian Reserve Battalion, along with fire and rescue personnel are on standby. Section 144 had been implemented in these areas, and a mock security drill was performed on Saturday.
Elaborate arrangements are underway as delegates began arriving in the Union Territory on Sunday morning. Major buildings including the Assembly, Chief Secretariat, and Raj Nivas were decorated with lights and welcome banners. Two hotels in Puducherry town and a beach resort in Chinna Veerampattinam were booked for accommodation, said a senior government official.
Around 50 delegates from academic institutions across the nation are set to participate. Meanwhile, 15 foreign delegates from 10 other G-20 countries — Australia, Brazil, China, European Union, France, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Russia, United Kingdom, and the USA — will take part in the summit, said a press release.
“India, as the president of G-20, aspires to make the meet ‘inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented as exhorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The S-20 agenda reflects this principle in the use of science for inclusive and sustainable development,” the statement said.
The summit, based on the theme of ‘Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development’, will focus on three areas — clean energy for a greener future, universal holistic health, and connecting science to society and culture. “The S-20 will catalyse fruitful scientific dialogue between the G20 member states and provide constructive solutions for global problems,” said the statement.
Subsequent meetings would be held in Agartala in Sikkim, Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The final summit is set to take place in Coimbatore. Dr Ashutosh Sharma, president of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and co-chair of the summit explained the S-20 will focus on science and technology that would aid the growth of nations.“The participants will share and listen to inputs. This would be useful for the government in governance and planning.
The meeting will start with comments from three countries: former G-20 president Indonesia, India, and the next president Brazil.” Citing the need for global cooperation to solve problems, Sharma mentioned that the G-20 provides a platform to aid collaboration. “Solution for major issues is a global matter and is not for one community or nation. Science and technology are going to be the main ingredients in solving the problems.” It may be noted the S-20 engagement group, comprising national science academies of the G-20 countries, had been initiated in 2017, during Germany’s presidency.
PUDUCHERRY: Security was beefed up on main roads across Puducherry in view of the Science-20 (S-20) Inception Meeting at Suganya Convention Centre on January 30 and 31. Around 37 NDRF personnel were deployed on Airport Road in Lawspet, ECR from Karuvadikuppam to Rajiv Gandhi statue, 100-ft Road, Cuddalore Road, Kamaraj Salai, and Anna Salai.
Police, Indian Reserve Battalion, along with fire and rescue personnel are on standby. Section 144 had been implemented in these areas, and a mock security drill was performed on Saturday.
Elaborate arrangements are underway as delegates began arriving in the Union Territory on Sunday morning. Major buildings including the Assembly, Chief Secretariat, and Raj Nivas were decorated with lights and welcome banners. Two hotels in Puducherry town and a beach resort in Chinna Veerampattinam were booked for accommodation, said a senior government official.
Around 50 delegates from academic institutions across the nation are set to participate. Meanwhile, 15 foreign delegates from 10 other G-20 countries — Australia, Brazil, China, European Union, France, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Russia, United Kingdom, and the USA — will take part in the summit, said a press release.
“India, as the president of G-20, aspires to make the meet ‘inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented as exhorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The S-20 agenda reflects this principle in the use of science for inclusive and sustainable development,” the statement said.
The summit, based on the theme of ‘Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development’, will focus on three areas — clean energy for a greener future, universal holistic health, and connecting science to society and culture. “The S-20 will catalyse fruitful scientific dialogue between the G20 member states and provide constructive solutions for global problems,” said the statement.
Subsequent meetings would be held in Agartala in Sikkim, Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The final summit is set to take place in Coimbatore. Dr Ashutosh Sharma, president of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and co-chair of the summit explained the S-20 will focus on science and technology that would aid the growth of nations.“The participants will share and listen to inputs. This would be useful for the government in governance and planning.
The meeting will start with comments from three countries: former G-20 president Indonesia, India, and the next president Brazil.” Citing the need for global cooperation to solve problems, Sharma mentioned that the G-20 provides a platform to aid collaboration. “Solution for major issues is a global matter and is not for one community or nation. Science and technology are going to be the main ingredients in solving the problems.” It may be noted the S-20 engagement group, comprising national science academies of the G-20 countries, had been initiated in 2017, during Germany’s presidency.
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Sonia questioning: Delhi Police imposes Sec 144 at Raj Ghat, Cong leaders to protest at party HQ
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Top Congress leaders met here Monday to evolve a strategy a day before Sonia Gandhi’s questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, even as the Delhi Police denied the party permission to protest at the Raj Ghat and imposed section 144 there.
The Congress president is scheduled to appear before the ED on Tuesday for the second round of questioning in the money laundering case related to the National Herald newspaper.
Congress leaders have demonstrated against Gandhi’s questioning by the Central agency and they have decided to stage a peaceful protest once again on Tuesday.
However, their demand for permission to stage a ‘Satyagrah’ at Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, was turned down by the Delhi Police which also imposed prohibitory order under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the area.
During the meeting of party general secretaries and MPs at the Congress headquarters here, it was decided they would get together at the AICC headquarters and stage peaceful protests.
“We decided to hold a peaceful protest in front of Raj Ghat tomorrow. We had given an application to the Delhi Police for permission but they denied it. It’s unfortunate & condemnable. The government is suppressing opposition voice,” said Congress MP KC Venugopal.
“Our freedom movement was fought on the principles of non-violence and satyagraha, the teachings of Gandhiji. These ideals transcended boundaries and became the light of hope for many oppressed. The Modi government imposes 144 to suppress our Satyagraha at every spot,” he said on Twitter.
“Now they have imposed 144 even around Raj Ghat, the Samadhi of Gandhi ji, to stop peaceful Satyagraha by Congress MPs and CWC members against the misusing of agencies for political vendetta. This is beyond condemnation and they can’t silence our voice with brute force,” the Congress leader said.
Congress leaders had on Thursday too staged protests outside ED offices across the country. Party leaders and MPs also courted arrest in protest of Gandhi’s questioning by the ED.
Gandhi was earlier questioned for a few hours on Thursday last and Congress leaders had staged a protest across the country. Party MPs had also courted arrest in Delhi against her questioning.
The ED probe relates to alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian Private Limited, which owns the National Herald newspaper.
NEW DELHI: Top Congress leaders met here Monday to evolve a strategy a day before Sonia Gandhi’s questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, even as the Delhi Police denied the party permission to protest at the Raj Ghat and imposed section 144 there.
The Congress president is scheduled to appear before the ED on Tuesday for the second round of questioning in the money laundering case related to the National Herald newspaper.
Congress leaders have demonstrated against Gandhi’s questioning by the Central agency and they have decided to stage a peaceful protest once again on Tuesday.
However, their demand for permission to stage a ‘Satyagrah’ at Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, was turned down by the Delhi Police which also imposed prohibitory order under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the area.
During the meeting of party general secretaries and MPs at the Congress headquarters here, it was decided they would get together at the AICC headquarters and stage peaceful protests.
“We decided to hold a peaceful protest in front of Raj Ghat tomorrow. We had given an application to the Delhi Police for permission but they denied it. It’s unfortunate & condemnable. The government is suppressing opposition voice,” said Congress MP KC Venugopal.
“Our freedom movement was fought on the principles of non-violence and satyagraha, the teachings of Gandhiji. These ideals transcended boundaries and became the light of hope for many oppressed. The Modi government imposes 144 to suppress our Satyagraha at every spot,” he said on Twitter.
“Now they have imposed 144 even around Raj Ghat, the Samadhi of Gandhi ji, to stop peaceful Satyagraha by Congress MPs and CWC members against the misusing of agencies for political vendetta. This is beyond condemnation and they can’t silence our voice with brute force,” the Congress leader said.
Congress leaders had on Thursday too staged protests outside ED offices across the country. Party leaders and MPs also courted arrest in protest of Gandhi’s questioning by the ED.
Gandhi was earlier questioned for a few hours on Thursday last and Congress leaders had staged a protest across the country. Party MPs had also courted arrest in Delhi against her questioning.
The ED probe relates to alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian Private Limited, which owns the National Herald newspaper.
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Prohibitory order imposed in Hazaribag’s Ichak area after two groups clash
By PTI
HAZARIBAGH: Prohibitory order under section 144 of CrPC has been promulgated under the limits of Ichak police station in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag district after two groups of people clashed, a senior police officer said on Sunday.
The prohibitory order was imposed on Saturday night following the clash between people of two communities during the Holi festival and will remain in force till further orders, the officer said. Seven people from both the communities were arrested, he said.
Hazaribag SP Manoj Ratan Chothey said that an FIR has been lodged in this connection against the accused for allegedly creating communal trouble in front of a religious place of a particular community at Darji Mohalla area under Ichak police station on Saturday evening.
Three miscreants in an inebriated condition while celebrating Holi allegedly started abusing some people belonging to a different community, who strongly protested. An altercation broke out between them which turned into a clash between the two communities in which three shops were set on fire.
The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Hazaribag Sadar, Vidya Bhushan Kumar went to the spot and brought the situation under control. Four people injured in the clash were taken to Hazaribag Medical College and Hospital (HMCH).
The SDO said timely intervention of police brought the situation well under control. The official said no further trouble have been reported since Saturday night. A team of Rapid Action Force (RAF) along with adequate police force have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Police are conducting raids to arrest the other culprits at large, the SP said, adding apart from the Ichak incident, the Holi festival in Hazaribag district passed off peacefully.
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Manipur sees violence among supporters of rival political parties ahead of polls
Express News Service
GUWAHATI: Manipur is witnessing the ugly phenomenon of pre-poll violence, and quite frequently, among the supporters of rival political parties for the first time.
The date of next year’s Assembly elections has not been announced yet by the Election Commission but the state witnessed sporadic incidents of violence for about a month until three days ago in at least four constituencies.
Several people were injured. The authorities clamped Section 144 of the CrPC in Heirok, one of the Assembly segments. The incidents of violence, before and after past elections, were mostly insurgent-related. Political analysts cited reasons, including growing competitiveness in elections, behind the incidents.
Imphal Review of Arts and Politics editor Pradip Phanjoubam said that the incidents indicated muscle-flexing. “Maybe, it is not happening at the party-level but at the level of prospective candidates. Since the polls are likely to be keenly contested, they are trying to prove they will be up for the challenge. People are heated up,” Phanjoubam told The New Indian Express.
He said that such incidents were rare in the past. He said that in the last three-four elections, there was always a party which was way stronger than the others and people were sure about its win in the absence of any competition.
He said the militant-related threats and violence before and after past elections were no longer there now. “The date of Assembly elections has not been announced yet but people are agitated. Since it is going to be a tough and tense fight, we are witnessing these incidents. Things happening are a bad trend. We fear there could be more such incidents given the contest, particularly between BJP and Congress,” Phanjoubam said.
Political scientist Prof L Rajen of Manipur University said Manipur was witnessing Uttar Pradesh and Bihar-like pre-poll violence. “The violence occurred in constituencies which are slightly away from urban influence. These incidents are common in UP and Bihar but alien to the people of Manipur,” Prof Rajen said.
He felt that desperation among voters, COVID pandemic, a high liquidity crunch and social media were the reasons. He pointed out that the sharing of social media contents without verification often aggravates a situation.
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BJP delegation denied permission to enter violence-hit Kawardha district in Chhattisgarh
Express News Service
RAIPUR: Amid prevailing communal tension in the Kawardha district, the administration on Wednesday denied permission to a BJP delegation who were on their way to meet the affected families.
“Owing to the imposition of prohibitory order Section 144 of CrPC in the municipal corporation area of Kawardha and the existing law and order situation, your request for permission to meet the affected families is rejected,” stated the letter addressed to the leader of opposition Dharamlal Kaushik.
Infuriated at this, the Opposition leaders staged a sit-in. “This is unfair and the state government will have to pay the price as the decision of the administration is blatant dadagiri,” said Kaushik, who led the delegation. As trouble spread on Tuesday, the Kawardha district administration clamped curfew late evening.
The inspector general of police Vivekanand Sinha said that the entire incident seems to be premediated as mobs were called in even when the situation was already tense due to the clashes over religious flags being brought down on Sunday, October 3, 2021.
The IG further informed that the violence and destruction of properties were carried out by a disorderly crowd that was reportedly brought from the neighbouring districts of Bilaspur, Dhamtari, Bemetara, Rajnandgaon, Raipur, and other places. There were reports that the mob was a part of the saffron brigade that enforced bandh, organised demonstrations, and damaged properties even while Section 144 remained enforced. “We are closely examining the video footage as well as the inputs about the incident gathered from the social media,” Sinha said.
The internet services in Kawardha and adjoining districts of Bemetara and Rajnandgaon have been suspended by the administration.
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Bhawanipore bypoll: BJP demands Section 144, deployment of central forces for polling day
By PTI
KOLKATA: A BJP delegation met the West Bengal chief electoral officer on Monday and demanded deployment of central paramilitary forces at every polling booth and promulgation of Section 144 Cr PC in Bhawanipore constituency in the city during the by-poll on September 30 in view of the alleged attack on party leaders during the day and earlier.
The BJP delegation also demanded that the CEO Aarif Aftab disallow Kolkata Police from having direct control to maintain law and order in the constituency on the polling day to ensure free and fair poll.
Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta, who led the delegation, told reporters the BJP delegation informed the CEO how the party’s Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh was heckled near Hanuman Mandir in Bhawanipore during the day and had to return without campaigning. “In a second incident, our former state president Dilip Ghosh was attacked by the same people who enjoyed the patronage of a family in the area. We have reported it to the CEO,” he said.
ALSO READ| Poll campaigning comes to an end in Bengal amid scuffles between Trinamool, BJP
Campaigning for the by-poll, in which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a candidate, came to an end on Monday and was marked by rising of political temperatures.
The BJP MP said it was seen whenever there is a possibility of high voter turnout, the TMC resorts to such terror tactics. “We therefore urged the CEO to ensure that central forces are deployed in each booth and section 144 CRPC is enforced in the entire constituency,” he said.
Asked about Ghosh’s demand for countermanding the by-poll in Bhawanipore, Dasgupta said “We want free and fair polls. What Dilip Ghosh said about countermanding Bhawanipore by-poll till the situation in the constituency returns to normal is based on his apprehension and real perception about the scope of holding free and fair polls.”
“We want the Election Commission to take steps to instill confidence among people about holding elections without fear. We asked the chief electoral officer to see that the Kolkata Police is not in direct charge of holding polls,” he said.
BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh was on Monday pushed and heckled by alleged TMC supporters, prompting his security officer to whip out a pistol in Bhawanipore assembly constituency. The EC sought a report on the incident from the state.
Party MP Arjun Singh faced ‘go-back’ slogans from the ruling TMC workers while soliciting votes for party candidate Pryanka Tibrewal. The incident involving Ghosh occurred when he inside a vaccination camp in Jodubabur Bazaar area in the constituency.
ALSO READ| BJP’s Dilip Ghosh pushed and heckled in Bhowanipore by alleged TMC workers, EC seeks report
TMC supporters present at the spot shouted slogans demanding that he leave, alleging that he was campaigning at a state-run vaccination programme which was not permitted. Ghosh was whisked away by his security guards.
He later alleged TMC supporters “attacked” him without provocation and injured a BJP activist. Dasgupta said the CEO’s office was asked to ensure live streaming through weblink of the entire constituency for immediate action by central forces.
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COVID-19: Section 144 kicks in Maharashtra, state sees massive oxygen shortage
By PTI
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday asked officials to closely monitor COVID-19-appropriate behaviour among shop owners, who have been allowed to operate during the new restrictions, as well as customers, and penalise the violators.In a virtual meeting with his cabinet colleagues, divisional commissioners, district collectors, municipal commissioners and police officials, Thackeray stressed on effective implementation of the measures which came into force at 8 pm and will remain in operation 7 am on May 1.
He said officials should ensure that vegetable vendors and grocery shop owners, who have been allowed to operate during the “lockdown-like” restrictions, scrupulously follow COVID-19-related norms like social distancing and use of face masks to avoid the infection spread.
“If crowding happens, the officials can shut down the shops,” he said.
Thackeray asked them to keep an eye of marriage ceremonies so that they do not become super-spreading events.
The state has noticed that marriage ceremonies were one of the reasons behind the COVID-19 spread.
“The district administration and police should ensure that mistakes committed in the past are not repeated,” the chief minister said.
Under the new curbs, only 25 people can attend a marriage.
The state’s COVID-19 task force members stressed on avoiding indiscriminate use of Remdesivir medicine which is causing its shortage.
There should be sensible approach towards the use of Remdesivir, a key COVID-19 drug, and medical oxygen, they told the meeting.
All essential services, including medical stores, hospitals, supply of medicines, among others will remain operational, according to a government notification.
Barber shops, saloons, spas, schools, colleges, coaching classes, beaches, clubs, swimming pools, gyms, drama theatres and cinema halls will remain shut during the next 15 days, according to the notification.
Though roadside eateries are allowed to operate during the period, buyers can not consume food on the street and only takeaway will be available, it said.
DGP Sanjay Pandey on Wednesday said that no e-pass is required to be obtained for the movement of vehicles during the coronavirus-induced restrictions imposed in the state.
He said that only those vehicles that are involved in emergency services and those private vehicles that come out with a valid reason are allowed to operate during the restrictions.
Asking the people to cooperate with the government machinery in the fight against COVID-19 by not stepping out of their houses during the curbs, he said the police personnel should not penalise or lathi charge if any person comes out on the street with a valid reason of essential or emergency work.
He was addressing a press conference for the first time after taking over additional charge of the state Director General of Police (DGP).
He was given the additional charge last week.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced severe, curfew-like restrictions on public movement over the next 15 days across the state to curb the COVID-19 surge.
“This is a war against the virus and we have to win it by following the guidelines issued by the government to prevent its spread and by helping the authorities, who are on the streets for common citizens,” Pandey said.
If someone comes out on the street despite being aware of the strict implementation of the prohibitory orders, then there must be some urgency for him.
In that case, the police should help such a person, he said.
“There are clear instructions that there should not be any hurdles created for those persons, who are out for essential and emergency work. They should not be penalised,” Pandey said.
The police personnel should not lathi charge such persons and they should get proper assistance, he said.
“But if anyone is found coming out without any valid or proper reason despite the instructions, then stern action will be taken against the violator,” he said.
There is no requirement for e-pass for essential and emergency services and for the private vehicles that come out on the streets during the restrictions with a valid reason, he said.
“We had requested the government not to implement e- pass system. Accordingly, there is no requirement of e-pass for travel,” he said.
During the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year, people were required to carry e-pass for travel in vehicles.
Pandey said that all the grocery shops will be open during the period of restrictions and all kind of public transport is also operational, he said.
Police and all the frontline workers are fighting this war for the safety of citizens, he said, adding, “We need their cooperation and they only have only to stay at home.”
The people, who work in the exempted category, should carry ID cards, valid letters for verification by government authorities, while checking for violation of government guidelines, he said.
Implementation of the government orders will strictly be done during the night also, he said, adding that for any confusion and queries people can contact the local police stations and police control rooms.
“All police officers and other personnel will be on the roads in two shifts,” he said, adding that around 13,280 home guards have been deployed in all the police commissionerates and districts,” he said.
At least 22 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) will be deployed if required, the official said.
At least 81 per cent police personnel have been vaccinated against coronavirus, and this figure excludes the staff in Mumbai city, he said.
has approached neighbouring states for medical oxygen supply amid the COVID-19 surge, but they have expressed their inability due to its high demand there, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters here, Tope said Maharashtra will have to reduce the wastage of medical oxygen as it is in high demand now.
He told reporters in Jalna that the state government has directed oxygen manufacturers to supply it only for medical purposes and not for industrial use.
Medical-grade oxygen is used for the treatment of critical COVID-19 patients and in other cases of respiratory diseases.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said there is a shortage of medical oxygen and the Centre should help supply it for coronavirus patients in the state by using Air Force planes.
On Wednesday, Tope said, “We have approached all the neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to supply oxygen for medical purpose, but owing to their own rising demand, these states have expressed their inability to supply oxygen.”
Hence, Maharashtra needs to reduce its wastage and work on fixing its leakages (wherever found), he said.
On Monday, Tope said plants in Maharashtra are producing 1,200 metric tonnes of oxygen per day and the entire stock is being used for medical purposes in view of the rising COVID-19 cases.
The demand is expected to go up to 1,500 to 1,600 metric tonnes every day, state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Rajendra Shingne said on Tuesday.
Tope earlier said the state government had decided to set up plants in hospitals which can separate and purify oxygen from the atmosphere and provide it to patients.
Speaking to reporters in Jalna, Tope said the state government has directed oxygen manufacturers to supply it only for medical purposes and not for industrial use.
He said district collectors should take action against erring manufacturers.
He said the state health department is planning to generate oxygen through Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) technology to tide over the oxygen shortage.
“This technology is already in place in Gadhinglaj town in Kolhapur district and now the PSA system is being set up in Ghansawangi tehsil in Jalna district and also in Nagpur.
“It is a simple technology which incurs low cost. PSA is the air separation technology and oxygen is generated from the environment,” the health minister said.
On the shortage of Remdesivir injections for COVID-19 patients, Tope directed Jalna district collector and the Food Drugs Administration (FDA) to supply them to private hospitals via a centralised method.
“We have started to distributeRemdesivir injections to private hospitals through the district administration,” he said.
Tope said 10,000 injections of Remdesivir were distributed to private hospitals in Jalna on Wednesday.
He said the district administration should purchase Remdesivir directly from the manufacturers after assessing the demand from private hospitals, which will prevent hoarding.
The health minister appealed to private hospitals to use Remdesivir drug judiciously and as per the guidelines issued by the COVID-19 task force.
“It is observed that some private hospitals are prescribing this injection to even moderate and asymptotic patients,” he added.