Police remove 503 loudspeakers from across Uttarakhand

POLICE OFFICIALS ARE DIRECTED TO PURSUE RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO REMOVE ALL “UNAUTHORISED” LOUDSPEAKERS

DEHRADUN: On lines of their Uttar Pradesh counterparts, Uttarakhand police have removed 503 loudspeakers from places of worship belonging to different communities across the state in the first five days of their month-long special drive. The drive against loudspeakers in the state started on June 1 on directive of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure compliance with an order by the Uttarakhand high court against the use of loudspeakers causing noise pollution, police said.

Director general of Uttarakhand police Ashok Kumar said as per CM’s directions, the 2018 order by high court for action against illegal loudspeakers was being complied with in “letter and spirit”.

“In the one-month-long intensive drive, unauthorised speakers that have been put up at religious institutions without requisite permission and crossing the decibel limit set by the high court in its 2018 order will be removed. The basic premise on which action is being taken is the sound emitted by loudspeakers. It should not disturb people living around premises where it has been installed. In just five days, we have removed 503 loudspeakers from religious buildings. The drive has been successful so far,” he said.

The DGP said he has also instructed police officials to engage in persuasion with religious leaders and urged them to take down “unauthorised and illegal loudspeakers” on their own or face action.

In June 2018, the high court while taking a tough stand on air, water and noise pollution in the state, had directed the state government to ensure that no loudspeaker or public address system is used by any person without written permission of the authorities concerned even during day time.