Cachar (Assam), 25 September (HS): Cachar District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the district in view of reports concerning law and order and alleged illegal movement of goods and cattle through the international border areas. The order has come into immediate effect.

Under the order, movement of people within one kilometre of the India-Bangladesh international border in Cachar will be prohibited from sunset to sunrise. Similar restrictions will apply to the Surma river and areas across the river under Indian control during the same hours.

The order also prohibits the use of boats on the Surma river for fishing. However, the Circle Officer of Katigorah may permit local residents to fish for personal recreation after obtaining permission from the concerned lessee and complying with applicable lease conditions. Copies of such permissions are to be forwarded to the District Magistrate, Cachar, and the Commandant of the 175th Battalion, BSF, Dhalchara.

In another key restriction, no person will be allowed to transport sugar, rice, wheat, edible oil, SK oil, salt or other specified essential commodities in any quantity through the five-kilometre area adjoining the Bangladesh border between sunset and sunrise, whether by vehicle, handcart, rickshaw or any other mode of transport.

The Katigorah Circle Officer may relax the restriction in specific cases after verification by the local Supply Department, particularly where the commodities are required for a specified purpose, at a specified time and location. Copies of such permissions will also be sent to the District Magistrate and the Commandant of the 170th Battalion, BSF, Dhalchara.

The restrictions will not apply to state and Central government employees performing official duties in the border areas. The order has been issued in the public interest and to safeguard law and order and will remain in force for two months from the date of issue, unless superseded by a fresh order.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash