To stop scheduled protests, Cachar District Administration clamps 144, bans procession

“Where as it has been made to appear to the undersigned (Deputy Commissioner of Cachar) that there may emerge situations that may lead to breach of peace and tranquillity in Cachar District which may lead to incidents causing loss of life and property and whereas there it has become an immediate necessity to prevent such sporadic occurrences.”

The above-mentioned is being quoted from an order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli. This comes after an organisation called for a meeting tomorrow to demonstrate and demand the release of Pradip Dutta Roy who has been arrested on November 27. The organisation that called for the meeting mentioned, “While eleven martyrs had to sacrifice their lives to secure the Assam Language Amendment Act. 1961, it is being often violated and the democratic meeting will condemn such acts.”

There was a government of India advertisement hoarding in Meherpur that carried only Assamese language. As Bengali is the official language of Barak Valley as per the Language Amendment Act. 1961, Pradip Dutta Roy urged the District Administration to replace the same with a Bengali one within 48 hours or otherwise, he warned that Barak Democratic Front will take steps. Soon after the ultimatum, the management of the petrol pump where the hoarding was placed decided to remove it.

This incident was distorted by media channels headquartered in Guwahati and Roy was called, “Oxomiya’s Khalnayak” the villain for Assamese. As the pressure mounted, the Cachar Police arrested him on the basis of a dubious FIR lodged by Hindu Yuva Parishad.

Silchar, which is often called as the land of Bhasha Saheeds, has largely remained silent on the issue. When today, in the ocean of silence a small island of noise emerged, the deputy commissioner of Cachar rushed to CrPC 144.

Here is what she states in her order, “Now, therefore, I Keerthi Jalli, IAS, District Magistrate, Cachar, Silchar in the exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 144 Cr. P.C. do hereby order – no assembly of 05 (five) or more persons be formed at any public place or thoroughfare for the aforesaid purpose.”

The other restrictions are, “No meeting procession or demonstration be organised at any public place. No person shall move in public places carrying arms as defined under Section 4 of the Indian Arms Act, 1818 or Lathi or any other weapon or instrument, which can be used for the purpose of assault or intimidations. No person shall move about carrying explosive or defined under Section 4 of the Indian explosive Act, 1884 in any public place. No person shall spread rumour to the public which may lead to any untoward incident. No person is allowed to use any fire torches for taking up marshal in the town.”

Deputy commissioner of Cachar concludes, “In view of the urgency of the matter this order has been made exparte and will remain in force until further orders. Given under my hand and seal this the 29th day of November 2021.”