Bans unauthorised assemblies for two months
Jammu, May 03: The administration on Sunday imposed a ban on unauthorised assemblies and protests in parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda town for a period of two months under Section 163 of the BNSS, citing apprehensions of public disturbance and threat to peace.
The step has been taken in view of the expectations of large gatherings of people in public events of recently released AAP MLA Mehraj Malik in his native Doda district.
According to an order issued by District Magistrate Krishan Lal, the administration observed that some people were allegedly planning demonstrations and trying to mobilise gatherings, which could lead to untoward incidents and disturb public order.
“In exercise of powers vested in me I hereby order a complete ban over any unauthorised gathering of 5 or more than 5 persons and organising protests or Dharnas in the public places – Clock tower chowk, Dessa road upto Akramabad, sports stadium, within the radius of 100 meters from the sports stadium and from clock tower up to old Bus Stand except for the events for which the permission has been already granted,” Lal said in the order.
The administration said such gatherings could cause obstruction and inconvenience to commuters, passengers and pedestrians, besides posing a threat to public safety.
However, events for which prior permission has already been granted will remain exempted, it said. Violators will be booked under Section 223 of the BNSS, the order said.
Srinagar gets facelift ahead of ‘Darbar Move’
Srinagar, May 03: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is getting a facelift ahead of the ‘Darbar Move’, a 150-year-old practice of bi-annual shifting of the administrative capital, with workers busy sprucing up roads and walkways.
Roads with potholes are being repaired and getting a fresh coat of paint ahead of the shifting of the Civil Secretariat and other government offices.
The Civil Secretariat, the seat of the Jammu and Kashmir government, will reopen here on Monday — a week after closing in Jammu, officials said.
Under the practice of ‘Darbar Move’, the government functions in Jammu during the six winter months and in Srinagar during the summer. The practice was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to escape extreme weather conditions in the two regions.
The practice continued even after independence to provide governance benefits to both Kashmir and Jammu regions for six months.
The shifting of capitals was stopped during the Lt Governor’s rule in 2021, but was restored by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2025, a year after he assumed office. (PTI)
