SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Dec 31: In the wake of the explosion of Covid-19 cases in the last three days, the Dhanbad district administration has clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC at picnic spots, restaurants, hotels and malls from 12 a.m. of December 31 to 12 a.m. of January 2.
Dhanbad SDM Prem Kumar Tiwari issued a notification late evening of December 30. According to the notification, Tiwari has said that having seen an increase in cases of Covid-19 day by day in the district, Section 144 has been imposed at picnic spots, hotels, restaurants and all places where people gather in large numbers for celebrating New Year. The step has been taken to check the Covid infection from spreading further.
As per the official record of the health department, the district has registered 109 cases in the last seven days (December 24 to December 30). Recoveries of 79 cases in the last three days (28 on Thursday, 31 on Wednesday and 20 on Tuesday) have compelled the District Disaster Management to take this drastic step for the safety of the public.
“Besides imposition of Section 144 at picnic spots, wearing masks, using sanitizer and maintaining social distancing have been made mandatory for the New Year celebrators,” said SDM Prem Kumar Tiwari.
The SDM further said that the administration would take action under Epidemic Diseases Act if any person is found violating the order.
A senior official of the health department said that the district administration has imposed Section 144 at picnic spots as visitors of other states, especially from Bengal, have been found in large numbers in the last seven days at Maithon dam and other picturesque places of the district.
SDM Prem added that Corona infected persons or the people who came in contact with them will have to inform concerned officials at Panchayat, block or district level for immediate action. If he or she fails in sharing information with the concerned authority, it would invite legal action.
