Jowai (Meghalaya), 21 August (HS): The West Jaintia Hills district administration has imposed an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of petrol and diesel in loose quantities, citing public safety concerns amid the ongoing agitation in the district.

The order, issued by the District Magistrate under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), will remain effective until further directions. The administration said the move was aimed at safeguarding lives and property and preventing any incident that could further disturb public order.

Under the order, petrol and diesel cannot be sold in jerry cans, bottles or other containers without proper authorisation. The administration warned that unauthorised sale and stockpiling of petroleum products could create fire hazards, endanger people and property and contribute to a further deterioration of the law-and-order situation.

The restriction follows a rally organised by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) a day earlier and comes against the backdrop of the prevailing agitation and the possibility of its escalation.

The district administration said the prohibition is also in line with the regulatory framework governing petroleum products under the Petroleum Act, 1934. Violators will be liable to legal action under Section 223 of the BNS and other applicable laws.

The order, however, allows diesel supplies for mobile towers and road construction companies to continue under the standing instructions of the District Magistrate. Such supplies will have to comply with the Petroleum Act, 1934 and other applicable regulations.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash