Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, Mar 29: In view of the recent problems in law and order in the district, the administration has issued a new order to regulate public meetings and gatherings.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday March 28, superintendent of police B Dayanand informed that the draft notification called 'Regulation of Public Gatherings (Dakshina Kannada) Order, 2007' has been published in the Karnataka State Gazette dated March 22, 2007.

According to the new order, those who want to hold a public meeting should give an application not less than three days before the event and signed by not less than three organisers. The police inspectors and higher police officials have been assigned the job of granting permission for the same, within the purview of the rules and regulations of the order.

However, the police officials will not refuse permission for holding any event, but only regulate as per the stipulated requirements. In case permission cannot be granted, the officer will forward a report to the district magistrate who will take the final decision.

Further, the order requires the organisers to take responsibility for any loss or damage occurring during the course of the event or in the case of the event turning violent. They will have to give an Indemnity Bond to this effect, Dayanand said.

A few exceptions have been made to the law and these include weddings, funeral processions, events sponsored or arranged by the government, sports meets and traditional/cultural programmes and military and armed force parades or route marches.

Dayanand also invited objection, suggestions or feedback from the public on or before April 22, after which the final notification will be made.

The order is the first of its kind in the state and only second in the country after Bihar.

Among those present at the press meet were deputy commissioner Maheshwar Rao, assistant director (prosecution) S P Kandagal.