PANAJI/MARGAO
In a bid to tackle the rising Covid cases across the State, the government on Saturday imposed Section 144 of the CrPC with Collectors of both North as well as South Goa district issuing orders banning public celebrations, gatherings, congregations etc during upcoming festivals like Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Easter and Eid-ul-Fitr.
The order states that a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases is being witnessed in some parts of the country and that the situation might aggravate further in view of these upcoming festivals where public gatherings are being anticipated.
The order also states that celebrations of these festivals will not be allowed in public places, public grounds, public parks and markets in Goa in an attempt to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“Any person contravening this order shall be punishable under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code,” the order issued by North Goa Collector Ajit Roy states.
South Goa district Collector, Ruchika Katyal, IAS also issued a similar order.
She stated that it is essential to enforce social distancing of people to prevent the spread of the disease. “In my considered opinion, there is sufficient grounds for proceeding under sub section (1)of section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to take preventive steps to contain the spread of virus”, the order reads.
Meanwhile, in another development, Katyal and other senior district administration officials had a meeting with both starred and non-starred hotels in the district on Saturday to brief them about the safety precautions they should adopt in their hotels in view of the rising cases.
Cooperation of the hotel owners was sought to combat Covid as the authorities made a fervent plea to the Directors to alert the authorities if they come across any suspicious cases in their premises.
The meeting with the hotel owners and directors assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the order passed by the district Collector to the deputy Collectors and the Mamlatdars to brace up to meet the emerging Covid situation.
